Masque was painted by Henri-Charles Guérard in 1895.

Where can I see Masque?

Masque is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Masque?

Masque is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Masque?

Museum-quality prints of Masque are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Masque

Henri-Charles Guérard , 1895

Masque is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri-Charles Guérard. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Henri‑Charles Guérard’s print *Masque* (1895) is an etching executed in a single red hue on a sheet of Japanese paper. The work presents a stark, graphic portrait that occupies the entire surface, its bold line work contrasting with the paper’s light tone.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a stylised face with an exaggerated grin, teeth exposed and thick, furrowed eyebrows. The head is rendered without a neck or body, giving the impression of a mask or theatrical façade, suggesting themes of performance and concealment.

Technique & Style

Guérard employed a traditional intaglio process, incising the design into a metal plate and using acid to deepen the lines. The ink was applied only to the incised lines, producing a line‑only impression in vivid red, a choice that heightens the graphic intensity of the composition.

History & Provenance

Created in Paris during the late nineteenth‑century revival of printmaking, *Masque* reflects Guérard’s active involvement with etching and lithography at that time. The work remains documented as part of his oeuvre of prints produced in the 1890s.