Artwork
The Little Potato Peeler (La petite peleuse de pommes de terre)
The Little Potato Peeler (La petite peleuse de pommes de terre) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Félicien Rops. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Little Potato Peeler is an etching created by Belgian artist Félicien Rops in 1866. It exemplifies his work in intaglio printmaking, a medium in which he was particularly skilled.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a young girl peeling potatoes by water, conveying a sense of everyday life. The subject is rendered in a straightforward manner, with an emphasis on the mundane task at hand.
Technique & Style
Rops employed the etching technique, scratching lines into a metal plate to create the image. The resulting print features rough, expressive lines that convey a hand-drawn quality, characteristic of the etching process.
History & Provenance
Félicien Rops was associated with various artistic movements, including Symbolism and Decadence, and was part of the Les XX group. His work was recognized within avant-garde circles during his time.
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.
