Artwork
Lust for Gold
Lust for Gold is an oil painting by Thomas Couture. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1844 by French painter Thomas Couture, *Lust for Gold* is an oil on canvas that now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The work exemplifies Couture’s focus on narrative scenes, presenting a compact group of figures illuminated against a dark backdrop, a composition typical of his mid‑century output.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre of the tableau a woman in a white dress holds a document while a man in a black coat reaches toward it. Surrounding onlookers watch with varied expressions, suggesting a moment of negotiation or exchange that hints at themes of desire, greed, and the moral complexities of wealth.
Technique & Style
Couture employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using a warm, localized light to separate the central pair from the shadowed surroundings. This contrast heightens the drama and focuses attention on the interaction, while the loose brushwork around the edges conveys a sense of immediacy and emotional tension.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced during Couture’s most productive period, when he was also teaching a generation of artists that included Édouard Manet. After changing hands several times in the 19th and early 20th centuries, *Lust for Gold* entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Couture (French pronunciation: ; 21 December 1815 – 30 March 1879) was a French history painter and teacher.
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