Artwork
The Coat with the Fur Lining
The Coat with the Fur Lining is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Samuel Keene. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Samuel Keene’s 1869 print, titled The Coat with the Fur Lining, is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The monochrome work depicts a woman standing indoors, her heavy coat opened to display a plush fur collar. A teapot and assorted objects rest on a nearby table, while a lamp illuminates a side table in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a moment of domestic routine, focusing on the tactile contrast between the outer garment and its inner lining. By emphasizing the act of revealing the coat’s interior, the image hints at themes of privacy and the layered nature of everyday attire, inviting viewers to consider the materiality of fashion in the late nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
Keene employs a network of intersecting, crisp lines to render texture, particularly in the fabric of the coat and the fur trim. This cross‑hatching creates a sense of depth and volume, giving the two‑dimensional print a quasi‑three‑dimensional presence despite its limited palette.
History & Provenance
Created in 1869, The Coat with the Fur Lining entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on display. The work exemplifies Keene’s printmaking practice during a period when he was exploring domestic subjects with a focus on detailed line work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Samuel Keene (10 August 1823 – 4 January 1891) was an English artist and illustrator, who worked in black and white.
