Artwork

Le Diable emporte les Albums (The Devil Runs Off with the Lithograph Albums)

Le Diable emporte les Albums (The Devil Runs Off with the Lithograph Albums) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Le Diable emporte les Albums is a 1825 lithograph on wove paper by French artist Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet, blending his typical military focus with a fantastical scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the devil fleeing with a collection of lithograph albums, observed by a seated man and a standing boy in the background, juxtaposing the mundane with the supernatural.

Technique & Style

Charlet employed bold lines and expressive shading, hallmarks of the Romantic style, with lithography adding texture and depth to the composition.

History & Provenance

The work is part of the National Gallery of Art, Washington's collection, though its specific acquisition history is not detailed here.

Context

Created during the Romantic movement, the piece reflects Charlet's adaptation of military-themed art to a more whimsical, emotionally charged subject matter.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of *Le Diable emporte les Albums* are not highlighted, it contributes to Charlet's reputation for innovative lithographic work within the Romantic era.