Artwork
Vanity Fair: "Hydrophobia"
Vanity Fair: "Hydrophobia" is a print by the Impressionist artist Théobald Chartran. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Théobald Chartran's 1887 print, 'Hydrophobia', is a humorous drawing housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, featuring a caricatured figure with exaggerated facial expressions and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a stern man in formal attire, contradicts his serious demeanor by holding three rabbits. The title 'Hydrophobia' (fear of water) ironically suggests the rabbits may symbolize a humorous, unrelated 'fear' or quirk, rather than the condition itself.
Technique & Style
Executed with careful shading, the work blends exaggerated, cartoon-like characteristics with refined draftsmanship, typical of Chartran's satirical portrait style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1887, 'Hydrophobia' is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, highlighting Chartran's contribution to late 19th-century caricature.
Artist & collection
