Artwork
Le Stryge
Le Stryge is a print by the Impressionist artist Edmond Gosselin. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Stryge, an 1867 print by Edmond Gosselin, combines a densely populated cityscape with a supernatural element. The work is currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a city dominated by a tall, spire-topped tower, overshadowed by a gigantic bat-like creature with outstretched wings. The creature's detailed, watchful face and accompanying French text suggest a vampire theme, implying a sense of foreboding over the urban landscape.
Technique & Style
Gosselin's use of dark, cloudy skies and the contrast between the miniature cityscape (with small houses and narrow streets) and the enormous, detailed bat-like head creates a sense of ominous tension, characteristic of eerie, supernatural themes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1867 by French artist Edmond Gosselin, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here.
Context
Le Stryge reflects late 19th-century interests in the supernatural and the juxtaposition of urban, industrializing landscapes with mythological or Gothic elements, a common theme in Victorian-era art and literature.
Legacy
While specific influences or direct artistic lineage are not outlined, Le Stryge exemplifies a style that may have contributed to the broader tradition of depicting supernatural themes in art, appealing to those interested in the intersection of the mundane and the occult.
Artist & collection
