Artwork
Melle. Rachel, dans Valéria
Melle. Rachel, dans Valéria is a print by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Melle.
About this work
Overview
Melle. Rachel, dans Valéria is a hand-colored print depicting Elisabeth Rachel Félix, known as Mademoiselle Rachel, in a theatrical performance. The artwork captures her role in the first act of Valéria, a play staged at the Théâtre Français around 1851.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is Mademoiselle Rachel, a renowned 19th-century actress, portrayed in character during the first act of Valéria. The print highlights her stage presence and the play's production at a prestigious Parisian theater.
Technique & Style
Executed as a hand-colored print, the technique combines initial printmaking with subsequent manual coloring. While the source mentions sfumato as a related technique for similar prints, there's no direct indication of its use here; the focus is on the hand-coloring aspect.
History & Provenance
The print originates from a production of Valéria by Auguste Maquet and Jules Lacroix at the Théâtre Français circa 1851. Specific provenance details (ownership history) are not provided.
Context
Created during the mid-19th century, the print reflects the era's interest in theatrical arts and the celebrity of Mademoiselle Rachel. It would have appealed to theater enthusiasts and fans of the actress.
Artist & collection
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