Artwork
The Little Girl (Le petite fille)
The Little Girl (Le petite fille) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edouard Manet. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Edouard Manet's 'The Little Girl (Le petite fille)' is an etching and drypoint print created in 1862, depicting a scene of intimacy between a woman and a child.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a woman viewed from behind, embracing a child, conveying a sense of tender closeness. The subject's everyday, informal nature suggests a focus on quiet domesticity.
Technique & Style
Characterized by quick, expressive lines, the etching features sharp, scribble-like marks, particularly in the woman's flowing dress, emphasizing spontaneity over refinement. The sparse background, indicated by loose strokes, implies movement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1862, specific details about the print's history and ownership prior to its current location are not provided.
Context
'The Little Girl' reflects Manet's exploration of contemporary life, while its technique showcases the expressive potential of etching and drypoint, techniques involving engraving on metal plates with needles and acid.
Artist & collection
Artist
Édouard Manet didn’t have much time to make his mark—he died at 51—but he used every year.
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Untitled
Three Veiled Women (Trois femmes voilées)
Amorous Conversation (Conversation amoreuse)
Love Consecrated (Elle consacre l'amour)
The Towing Path
The Dead Man (Der tote Mann)
Untitled
Femme nue passant sa chemise (Nude Woman Taking Off Her Chemise)
Getting Up (Le lever)
Nursemaid and Child
La petite fille tenant un bébé