Artwork
You can bawl...
You can bawl... is a print by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. A woodcut print titled 'You can bawl.
About this work
This is a woodcut print, not a painting—Vallotton carved the image into a block of wood, then inked and pressed it.
A woman sits alone in a dark room, her face buried in her hands. The only light comes from a small window, casting sharp shadows on the walls. She looks completely broken.
This is a woodcut print, not a painting—Vallotton carved the image into a block of wood, then inked and pressed it. The stark black-and-white lines make the scene feel even heavier. It was part of a series about crime and punishment, published in a French magazine in 1902.
If you like this kind of raw emotion, look up the technique *chiaroscuro*.
Overview
A woodcut print titled 'You can bawl...' depicts a solitary woman overcome with emotion in a dimly lit room.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows a woman seated alone, her face hidden in her hands, conveying a sense of despair and isolation. The scene is part of a series exploring themes of crime and punishment.
Technique & Style
The print's stark black-and-white lines, achieved through the woodcut technique, emphasize the emotional weight of the scene. The use of chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the somber atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The print was published as plate 4 in the series 'Crimes and Punishments' in the French magazine L'Assiette au Beurre on March 1, 1902.
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.
