Who painted Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts?

Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts was painted by Auguste Rodin in 1884.

Where can I see Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts?

Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts?

Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts

Auguste Rodin , 1884

Victor Hugo, De Trois Quarts is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Auguste Rodin. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1884, this drypoint print presents the French writer Victor Hugo in a three‑quarter view.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1884, this drypoint print presents the French writer Victor Hugo in a three‑quarter view. The image captures an elderly Hugo with a long white beard and moustache, his head turned slightly away, rendered in quick, loose lines that convey a sense of immediacy.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on Hugo’s distinguished features—his flowing beard, furrowed brow, and the suggestion of his clothing—highlighting the writer’s age and stature. By choosing a three‑quarter angle, the artist offers a slightly informal, contemplative glimpse of the literary figure rather than a formal, frontal likeness.

Technique & Style

Executed with drypoint, the artist incised lines directly into a metal plate, allowing the characteristic rough, sketch‑like quality to appear in the final print. This method produces pronounced burrs that give the marks a textured, expressive edge, contrasting with the smoother, idealized portraiture common in the period.

History & Provenance

The work was produced by Auguste Rodin, a French sculptor whose training emphasized careful craftsmanship. Although primarily known for his sculpture, Rodin applied his modeling sensibility to printmaking here, exploring a more spontaneous, painterly approach within the medium.

Context

At the time, portraiture often favored polished, idealized surfaces. Rodin’s choice to employ drypoint’s inherent looseness reflects his broader interest in capturing the vitality of the subject’s character, aligning the print with his experimental treatment of surface and form in other works.

Artist & collection

Artist

Auguste Rodin

François Auguste René Rodin (; French: ; 12 November 1840 – 17 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture.