Artwork
Help! My cutlet's being stolen!
Help! My cutlet's being stolen! is a print by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Help!
About this work
Overview
Help! My cutlet's being stolen! is a print created by Félix Vallotton for the satirical magazine L'Assiette au Beurre.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a cat defending its kitchen against a rat stealing a breaded cutlet, illuminated by a sliver of light from a half-open door. The scene is part of a series, Crimes and Punishments, that humorously portrays everyday 'crimes'.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the print features sharp black-and-white lines that dramatize the scene. The use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, heightens the tension in the image.
History & Provenance
The print was published on March 1, 1902, as plate 20 in L'Assiette au Beurre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
