Artwork
Aux environs de Paris
Aux environs de Paris is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Aux environs de Paris is an 1856 etching on laid paper by French artist François Antoine Maxime Lalanne, exemplifying his contribution to the mid-19th century printmaking revival in France.
Subject & Meaning
The etching portrays a serene landscape near Paris, featuring a quiet park with tall trees, a path, a pond, and two solitary figures—a woman walking and a person seated on a bench. The scene captures nature’s tranquility on the outskirts of the city.
Technique & Style
Lalanne employed fine, detailed lines characteristic of his printmaking style to evoke light and shadow, imbuing the park scene with a sense of peace. The etching technique allowed for nuanced rendering of the dense foliage and water elements.
History & Provenance
Created in 1856, the work reflects Lalanne’s focus on etching during a period of renewed interest in the medium among French artists. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
Aux environs de Paris situates itself within the broader context of 19th-century French printmaking, where artists like Lalanne leveraged etching to explore themes of natural beauty and everyday life.
Artist & collection
Artist
François Antoine Maxime Lalanne (November 27, 1827 – July 29, 1886) was a French artist known for his etchings and charcoal drawings (fusain).
