Artwork
La Vitrioleuse (The Acid Thrower)
La Vitrioleuse (The Acid Thrower) is a watercolor print by the Impressionist artist Eugène Grasset. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La Vitrioleuse (The Acid Thrower) is a 1894 print by Eugène Samuel Grasset, a Swiss artist active in Paris. Created using photo-relief with watercolor stenciling, it exemplifies Grasset's work in multiple mediums.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman in a black dress with long red hair, holding a white bowl. Her serious expression and the image's association with late 19th-century social commentary suggest a narrative or symbolic intent.
Technique & Style
Grasset's use of photo-relief and watercolor stenciling achieves a detailed, realistic representation. The contrast between the orange background and black dress creates a visually striking effect, characteristic of the Art Nouveau style.
Context
As a pioneer of Art Nouveau, Grasset's work reflects the movement's emphasis on decorative and illustrative elements. La Vitrioleuse (The Acid Thrower) is a product of this artistic context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Eugène Samuel Grasset (French pronunciation: ; 25 May 1845 – 23 October 1917) was a Swiss decorative artist who worked in Paris, France in a variety of creative design fields during the Belle Époque.
