Artwork

Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune

Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune, by Louis Anquetin, ink, 1898
Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune, by Louis Anquetin, ink, 1898

Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Louis Anquetin. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune is a lithographic print created by Louis Anquetin in 1898. Composed of three distinct, stacked scenes, the work presents a man’s face, a caged bird, and a coin-bearing hand, each rendered in bold, flat black ink on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The trio of images suggests themes of retribution (le talion), confinement (la cage), and fortune, collectively implying a narrative of cause, effect, and outcome. Despite their separation, the scenes subtly interrelate, inviting interpretation of their collective meaning.

Technique & Style

Executed as a proof before letters, the lithograph features sharp, separate images with heavy, flat black lines, eschewing shading for bold, graphic clarity. This approach underscores Anquetin’s mastery of lithography’s capabilities.

History & Provenance

Created in 1898, specific details regarding the print’s provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.

Context

Emerging during a period of expressive innovation in printmaking, Anquetin’s work reflects the late 19th-century interest in lithography as a medium for artistic expression, distinct from its common use in commercial printing.

Legacy

While the broader impact and reception of 'Le Talion; La Cage; Ceux qui restent; Fortune' are not detailed in the provided sources, it contributes to the understanding of Anquetin’s oeuvre and the evolution of lithographic art at the turn of the 20th century.

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.