Artwork

La Fille d'Artaban; La Nébuleuse; Dialogue inconnu

La Fille d'Artaban; La Nébuleuse; Dialogue inconnu, by Louis Anquetin, ink, 1896
La Fille d'Artaban; La Nébuleuse; Dialogue inconnu, by Louis Anquetin, ink, 1896

La Fille d'Artaban; La Nébuleuse; Dialogue inconnu is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Louis Anquetin. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

La Fille d'Artaban; La Nébuleuse; Dialogue inconnu is a 1896 lithograph by Louis Anquetin, created on wove paper in black ink.

Subject & Meaning

The print features a sketch of a woman's face and hands with loose, wavy hair, accompanied by a faint scorpion outline above her head. The image is paired with text listing three plays and their corresponding actors and dates for a Paris theater season.

Technique & Style

The lithograph is characterized by quick, rough lines, typical of the period. The sketchy style conveys a sense of spontaneity, while the contrast between the detailed figure and empty background creates visual tension.

Context

The print was likely created as a promotional poster for the listed plays, utilizing the lithography technique to produce multiple copies.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Louis Anquetin

Artist

Louis Anquetin

Louis Anquetin (1861–1932) was a French artist, born in Étrépagny.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.