Artwork
Justice, Vengence, and Truth
Justice, Vengence, and Truth is a print by the Impressionist artist Nicolas-François Chifflart. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
François‑Nicolas Chifflart’s print, part of his 1865 series titled Improvisations on Copper, depicts three female figures intertwined in mid‑air, each embodying an abstract concept—Justice, Vengeance, and Truth. Executed on a modestly sized copper plate, the work invites close, personal viewing.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents the three allegorical women with distinctive attributes: a set of scales, a sword, and a mirror. Their muscular tension and billowing drapery suggest a dynamic struggle among the ideals they represent, prompting reflection on the interplay of law, retribution, and perception.
Technique & Style
Chifflart worked directly on the copper surface, drawing as freely as one would on paper. This approach yields loose, gestural lines that retain a sense of immediacy, revealing the artist’s experimental attitude toward etching during the French revival of the medium.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the Improvisations on Copper series, produced in 1865 amid Chifflart’s involvement in the 19th‑century French etching revival. The work was created for a limited audience, intended for intimate contemplation rather than public exhibition.
Context
During the mid‑1800s, French artists revived interest in printmaking, emphasizing personal expression over the polished finishes of earlier academic prints. Chifflart’s method of drawing directly on copper exemplifies this shift toward spontaneity and individual artistic voice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas-François Chifflart (1825–1901) was a French artist, born in Saint-Omer.
