Artwork
The Tumble
The Tumble is an ink print by the Romanticist artist François-Philippe Charpentier. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Tumble is a print created by François-Philippe Charpentier in 1766 using etching and aquatint techniques on laid paper. It is a proof printed in brown.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of people entangled in a fall, possibly at a construction site or ruined building. A woman on a raised platform attempts to intervene, while others struggle to maintain control amidst debris and broken columns.
Technique & Style
Charpentier employed loose, sketchy lines to convey movement and urgency, capturing the scene in a state of dynamic action. The use of brown tones contributes to a dramatic, smoky atmosphere.
History & Provenance
François-Philippe Charpentier, a French engraver and inventor, was born in Blois in 1734 and trained in Paris. The work is now held in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Artist & collection
Artist
François-Philippe Charpentier (b. Blois, 1734; d. there 22 July 1817) was a French engraver and inventor. His father was a bookbinder, a poor man who reportedly made many sacrifices so that his son might attend the…
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Étude de Mandiants (Study of Beggars)
Les Graces (The Graces)
Alpine Landscape
