Artwork
À Concarneau (Finistère)
À Concarneau (Finistère) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1874, this etching by French artist Maxime Lalanne depicts the harbor of Concarneau in the Finistère region. Executed on laid paper, the monochrome print captures a bustling waterfront where vessels, pedestrians, and town structures coexist under a sky of swiftly rendered clouds. The work is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a lively maritime scene: small boats are moored along the quay, figures stroll along the water’s edge, and a row of buildings frames the right side of the composition. In the background, a bridge and a cluster of towers rise above the town, suggesting the integration of commerce, daily life, and the built environment within a coastal setting.
Technique & Style
The print relies on stark black‑and‑white contrasts, with loose, wavy cloud forms and energetic hatchwork that convey movement and atmospheric light.
Lalanne employed the etching process, incising swift, gestural lines into a metal plate before transferring the image onto laid paper. The print relies on stark black‑and‑white contrasts, with loose, wavy cloud forms and energetic hatchwork that convey movement and atmospheric light. The sketch‑like quality emphasizes immediacy over detailed rendering, characteristic of Lalanne’s approach to urban and marine subjects.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the late nineteenth century, the print has remained in the public domain through acquisition by the National Gallery of Art. The museum’s holdings include this work as part of its broader collection of French printmaking, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preserving examples of 19th‑century etching techniques and their documentary value.
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).
