Who painted A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman?

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman was painted by Gustave Doré in 1858.

Where can I see A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman?

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman?

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman

Gustave Doré , 1858

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Gustave Doré. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Dramatic Scene with a Fainting Woman is a drawing executed in 1858 by the French illustrator Gustave Doré. Rendered on blue wove paper, the work combines graphite, a gray wash, and white gouache that has partially oxidized to a brown tone. The composition captures a moment of sudden collapse surrounded by a small gathering of men.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman who has fainted, her body already on the floor. Encircling her are several men dressed in period attire; one clutches a scroll, while the others display a mixture of concern and curiosity. The scene suggests a narrative moment, perhaps a domestic or public incident, emphasizing human reaction to unexpected distress.

Technique & Style

Doré employs a limited palette, using graphite for line work, a gray wash to model form, and white gouache for highlights. The gouache, originally bright, has oxidized over time, lending the image an aged, muted quality. The stark contrast between the dark washes and the luminous white accents heightens the drama and directs the viewer’s focus to the central collapse.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the drawing is part of Doré’s extensive output of illustrative works. It is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed alongside other examples of the artist’s graphic practice.