Artwork
Debut from "Paradise and the Peri" (2nd plate)
Debut from "Paradise and the Peri" (2nd plate) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Henri Fantin‑Latour’s lithograph titled *Debut* is the second plate of his 1894 series *Paradise and the Peri*.
About this work
Overview
Executed on Chinese paper, the print presents a monochrome composition that captures a moment of motion in a mythic scene.
Henri Fantin‑Latour’s lithograph titled *Debut* is the second plate of his 1894 series *Paradise and the Peri*. Executed on Chinese paper, the print presents a monochrome composition that captures a moment of motion in a mythic scene. It belongs to the later phase of Fantin‑Latour’s career, when he was already established for his still‑life paintings and intimate group portraits of Parisian artists.
Subject & Meaning
The image illustrates a winged figure, the Peri from Thomas Moore’s poem *Lalla‑Rookh*, poised in a dynamic pose that suggests ascent or descent. The figure’s twisted torso, outstretched arm, and billowing fabric convey a sense of transition, echoing the Peri’s journey toward paradise amid a stark, rocky landscape.
Technique & Style
Created with lithographic stones, Fantin‑Latour employed swift, sketch‑like lines to render hair, wind, and texture, allowing the tonal contrasts of black and white to suggest depth and movement. The use of Chinese paper contributes a delicate surface that enhances the fluidity of the line work, a characteristic approach in late‑19th‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
The series was produced in 1894, a period when Fantin‑Latour was expanding his practice beyond oil painting into print media. The plates were intended to accompany Moore’s narrative, each visualizing a different episode of the Peri’s quest. The work remains documented within the artist’s printed oeuvre, though specific ownership records are limited.
Context
*Paradise and the Peri* reflects the 19th‑century fascination with Orientalist literature and exotic mythologies. By translating Moore’s poetic vision into lithographic form, Fantin‑Latour joined a broader trend of French artists who engaged literary sources to explore themes of longing, transcendence, and the supernatural.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation: ; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.
