Artwork
Le solitaire
Le solitaire is an ink print by the Impressionist artist B.-A. Neuburger. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1895, this black lithograph on wove paper bears the title Le solitaire. The composition presents a solitary figure seated in a chair, absorbed in a book, while a vase of flowers rests nearby. The work exemplifies the intimate domestic scenes favored by its creator, offering a quiet glimpse into a moment of personal study.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman with her hair gathered in an updo, dressed in a modest, long‑sleeved gown with a high neckline. She leans forward, eyes cast downward, holding spectacles in her right hand as she reads. The inclusion of the vase and flowers adds a subtle decorative element, underscoring themes of contemplation, learning, and restrained elegance.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on the contrast of deep black against the soft texture of wove paper. The artist employs fine line work to render the woman's features and the delicate folds of her dress, while broader tonal areas suggest the surrounding interior. The overall aesthetic reflects the late‑19th‑century penchant for detailed, monochrome printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by B.-A. Neuburger, a French lithographer active in the 1890s. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has appeared in several catalogues of 19th‑century French prints, indicating its circulation among collectors of the period. Its date of creation, 1895, places it within the artist’s mature phase, when he focused on everyday domestic subjects.
Artist & collection
![Mia madre che lavora [My Mother Working], by Umberto Boccioni](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/umberto-boccioni--mia-madre-che-lavora-my-mother-working--ce84f1205dd9eec1-w320.webp)