Artwork
Masque
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
Masque is a 1895 etching in red on china paper by French artist Henri-Charles Guérard, characterized by a haunting, red-hued close-up of a face on a pale background.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a ghostly, mask-like face with pronounced, wood-like textures, deep creases, and sunken eyes, conveying an eerie, hollow presence.
Technique & Style
Guérard employed red ink on thin china paper to achieve a sharp, high-contrast effect, emphasizing the face's rugged features. The etching technique, involving metal carving, contributes to the work's textured, expressive quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1895, Masque reflects Guérard's involvement with innovative printmaking practices in late 19th-century Paris, a hub for artistic experimentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henri Charles Guérard (26 April 1846, Paris - 24 March 1897, Paris) was a French painter and printmaker, particularly in etching and lithography.
