Artwork
Départ pour le sabbat (Departure for the Sabbath)
Départ pour le sabbat (Departure for the Sabbath) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félicien Rops. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Départ pour le sabbat (Departure for the Sabbath), created in 1895 by Belgian artist Félicien Rops, is an etching and aquatint print on heavy japan paper. Associated with Symbolism, Decadence, and the Parisian fin de siècle, Rops was a versatile artist known for his contributions to various mediums.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman walking away through a dimly lit doorway, her dark dress merging with the shadows. She carries a bundle on her head, with faint light illuminating the floor outside, scattered with stones. The composition suggests a transitional moment, with the doorway serving as a threshold between two contrasting spaces.
Technique & Style
Rops employed a combination of etching and aquatint techniques to achieve deep, expressive blacks and soft, nuanced shading. The interplay of dark lines and subtle gradations of tone creates a sense of depth, while the uneven spill of light enhances the threshold's symbolic divide.
History & Provenance
Created in 1895, this work exemplifies Rops' innovative approach to intaglio printing, characteristic of his engagement with the artistic and aesthetic currents of his time. As a member of Les XX, Rops was part of a circle that promoted avant-garde practices.
Context
Within the broader context of late 19th-century European art, *Départ pour le sabbat* reflects the Symbolist fascination with mystery and the unknown, as well as the Decadent movement's emphasis on the beauty of darkness and the sublime.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Départ pour le sabbat* are not provided, the work contributes to Rops' reputation as a master printmaker of his era, influencing subsequent generations through his technical innovations and thematic explorations in Symbolism and Decadence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félicien Victor Joseph Rops (French: ; 7 July 1833 – 23 August 1898) was a Belgian artist associated with Symbolism, Decadence, and the Parisian fin de siècle, and was a member of the Les XX group.
