Artwork
Verite
Verite is an ink print by Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Henri Fantin‑Latour’s lithograph *Verite*, executed in 1900, presents a solitary figure seated on a rock beside water. The composition is rendered with swift, unrefined lines that convey a sense of immediacy, as the subject’s head leans on a hand and the body turns slightly away. The work exemplifies the artist’s engagement with graphic media during the later phase of his career.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a lone individual in a contemplative pose, suggesting introspection or quiet observation of the surrounding landscape. The minimal setting—a rock, water, and a solitary figure—focuses attention on the human form and its gesture, inviting viewers to consider themes of solitude and reflection without overt narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the print employs a coarse, dark line quality that resembles a rapid sketch rather than a finished drawing. The artist’s hand appears evident in the hurried strokes, emphasizing texture and spontaneity. This raw approach contrasts with Fantin‑Latour’s more polished paintings, highlighting his versatility across media.
History & Provenance
*Verite* belongs to a period when Fantin‑Latour expanded his practice beyond still‑life and portrait painting into graphic arts. Produced near the end of his life, the lithograph reflects his continued interest in exploring different techniques. Documentation places the work within his late oeuvre, though specific ownership records remain limited.
Context
At the turn of the twentieth century, lithography offered artists a means to experiment with line and tone outside the constraints of oil painting. Fantin‑Latour, already renowned for meticulous still‑lifes and group portraits of Parisian cultural figures, used this medium to capture fleeting impressions, aligning with broader trends toward immediacy in printmaking.
Own this work as a print
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.
