Artwork

Paysans se reposant dans la Campagne (Peasants Resting in the Countryside)

Paysans se reposant dans la Campagne (Peasants Resting in the Countryside) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paysans se reposant dans la Campagne (Peasants Resting in the Countryside) is a lithograph on wove paper created by Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet in 1831. It is a print that showcases the artist's ability to capture a serene rural scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a group of peasants at rest in a countryside setting, featuring rolling hills, a tree, and a distant shoreline. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and relaxation, diverging from Charlet's more typical military subjects.

Technique & Style

Charlet employed loose, sketchy lines to achieve a spontaneous and natural effect, characteristic of early 19th-century travel drawings. The lithographic technique allowed for the translation of his drawing onto print, capturing the essence of the scene.

History & Provenance

Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet, a French painter and printmaker, created this lithograph in 1831. While specific provenance details are not available, the work reflects Charlet's broader engagement with genre scenes beyond his military themes.