Artwork
Girl Lifting Her Chemise (Fillette enlevant sa chemise)
Girl Lifting Her Chemise (Fillette enlevant sa chemise) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1893, this woodcut by Félix Vallotton presents a young figure caught in the moment of raising her chemise. Executed in stark black on a brown-wove paper, the image is rendered in a compact, graphic manner that emphasizes the contours of the body against a minimal background of water and sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a solitary girl, her hands lifting the fabric of her dress to expose her torso. The act, rendered without overt narrative cues, invites contemplation of intimacy and vulnerability, reflecting Vallotton’s interest in portraying everyday moments with a detached, observational tone.
Technique & Style
Vallotton employed traditional woodcut methods, carving bold, flat planes and crisp outlines that give the print a striking, two-dimensional quality. The stark contrast between the deep black ink and the warm tone of the wove paper underscores the graphic intensity typical of late‑19th‑century printmaking, aligning with the aesthetic of the Nabis circle.
History & Provenance
As a member of the Nabis, Vallotton’s woodcuts from the 1890s garnered attention across Europe for their modern approach to the medium. This particular work, produced during a period of increasing simplification in his style, entered the public domain through exhibitions and sales that highlighted his contribution to the revival of woodcut printing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
Entering the Water (L'entrée dans l'eau)
Two Seated Bathers (Deux baigneuses assises)
Leaving the Water (La sortie du bain)
Bathers on the Grass (Baigneuses étendues sur l'herbe)
Bather with Swans (La baigneuse aux cygnes)
Bathers Caught in a Storm (Les baigneuses surprises par l'orage)
The Finger Game
Begrüssung (Greeting)
Untitled
Two Girls in Chemises (Deux fillettes en chemise)