Artwork
Pastoral
Pastoral is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Henri Fantin‑Latour’s lithograph *Pastoral* dates from 1896, placing it toward the end of his active period in the late nineteenth century. While the artist is chiefly remembered for his meticulous flower still‑lifes and his portraits of Parisian cultural figures, this print demonstrates his engagement with the graphic medium of lithography alongside his painted oeuvre.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts two figures seated in close proximity within a dimly lit interior. Their faces are rendered indistinct, yet one hand rests gently on the other's shoulder, suggesting an intimate, perhaps consoling gesture. The surrounding darkness is punctuated by vague silhouettes that may represent foliage, lending the scene a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithographic ink, the work is characterized by a rough, textured line quality that conveys a sense of immediacy. The drawing‑like surface, with its visible scratches and unfinished edges, contrasts with the polished finish of Fantin‑Latour’s paintings, emphasizing the artist’s capacity for swift, expressive mark‑making within the print medium.
History & Provenance
Created during the final decade of Fantin‑Latour’s career, *Pastoral* reflects his occasional forays into printmaking, a practice he pursued alongside his more celebrated oil works. The lithograph has circulated among private collections and museum holdings, illustrating the broader interest in his lesser‑known graphic output during the early twentieth century.
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.
