Artwork

"Les Scélérats!..."

"Les Scélérats!...", by Hippolyte Bellangé, ink, 1830
"Les Scélérats!...", by Hippolyte Bellangé, ink, 1830

"Les Scélérats!..." is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Hippolyte Bellangé. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Les Scélérats!

About this work

Overview

Les Scélérats!... is a lithograph created by Hippolyte Bellangé in 1830, capturing a dramatic scene of four figures against a cityscape backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a distressed woman with hands raised to her head, is flanked by three men, two of whom are armed with rifles. Their tense facial expressions and body language convey urgency and emotion, though the specific narrative remains ambiguous.

Technique & Style

Bellangé utilized lithography to achieve depth and texture, characterized by bold lines and shading that enhance the scene's dramatic intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1830, the lithograph's historical context and ownership history are not detailed in available information.

Context

Emerging during a period of social and political upheaval in France, the work may allude to the tumultuous climate, though its direct connection to specific events is unclear.

Legacy

While the broader impact of 'Les Scélérats!...' on subsequent art movements or its popularity over time is not well-documented, it remains a notable example of early 19th-century lithographic practice.

Artist & collection

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