Artwork
L'Assomption de Hannele Mattern; En l'attendant
L'Assomption de Hannele Mattern; En l'attendant is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paul Sérusier. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
L'Assomption de Hannele Mattern; En l'attendant is a 1894 color lithograph on wove paper by Paul Sérusier, originally designed as a theater program for the play *L’Assomption de Hannele Mattern*.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two ethereal figures in a serene, green-hued environment. A tall, pale figure holds a lengthy cloth, while a kneeling companion clutches a single yellow flower. The background subtly morphs into a face with vacant eyes and an open mouth, infusing the scene with a sense of mystique.
Technique & Style
Sérusier employed flat, layered colors and simple geometric shapes, characteristic of lithographic techniques. This aesthetic lends the composition a dreamlike, fairy-tale quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1894 for a theatrical production, the work's provenance is tied to its promotional purpose for *L’Assomption de Hannele Mattern*, listing actors and their roles within the design.
Context
This lithograph reflects the intersection of art and theater in late 19th-century Europe, where artists like Sérusier were commissioned to create promotional materials that blended functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this work are not widely documented, it contributes to the broader understanding of Sérusier's contributions to the development of early 20th-century art movements, particularly in the realm of printmaking.
Artist & collection
