Artwork

Intoxication (Ebbrezza)

Intoxication (Ebbrezza), by Luigi Conconi, ink, 1888
Intoxication (Ebbrezza), by Luigi Conconi, ink, 1888

Intoxication (Ebbrezza) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Luigi Conconi. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Luigi Conconi’s *Intoxication* shows two blurry figures leaning close, their faces half lost in shadow.

Luigi Conconi’s *Intoxication* shows two blurry figures leaning close, their faces half lost in shadow. The artist etched this on thick paper, using ink that pools like spilled wine. The loose lines feel quick and private, like a snapshot.

Conconi worked in Milan around 1888. He mixed etching methods to blur edges, letting darks sink deep into the paper. The mood is hazy, not sharp—more feeling than fact.

See it side by side with Conconi, Luigi’s other prints.

Overview

Intoxication (Ebbrezza) is a print created by Luigi Conconi in 1888, utilizing etching with monotype inking on thick wove paper. The work depicts two figures in close proximity, their features partially obscured by shadow, conveying a sense of intimacy and ambiguity.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Intoxication (Ebbrezza) suggests a moment of personal, possibly emotional, connection between two individuals. The deliberate blurring of their faces implies a focus on the emotional state or atmosphere of the scene rather than the identities of the figures.

Technique & Style

Conconi employed a combination of etching techniques to achieve blurred edges, allowing inks to deeply penetrate the paper. This method, paired with loose, expressive lines, imbues the work with a spontaneous, almost private quality, reminiscent of a candid capture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1888, Intoxication (Ebbrezza) reflects Conconi's activity in Milan during this period. Specific provenance details are not provided, but the piece is contextualized within Conconi's broader printmaking output of the time.

Context

For a fuller understanding, Intoxication (Ebbrezza) is best viewed in conjunction with other prints by Luigi Conconi, highlighting thematic and technical consistencies or variations across his work.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Luigi Conconi

Artist

Luigi Conconi

Luigi Conconi (1893–1893) was an artist.

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