Artwork
The Corpse (Study for The Dead Christ)
The Corpse (Study for The Dead Christ) is a chalk drawing 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
The Corpse (Study for The Dead Christ) is a 1893 drawing by Félix Vallotton, a Swiss-French artist associated with the Les Nabis group. Created in black chalk on buff paper, it exemplifies Vallotton's realistic and unemotional style.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a man lying on his back with his arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed, conveying a sense of stillness and death. The subject is rendered in a straightforward and unsentimental manner, characteristic of Vallotton's figural work.
Technique & Style
The drawing is executed with deliberate, heavy strokes, creating deep grooves in the paper. The use of black chalk on buff paper produces a somber, high-contrast effect, underscoring the subject's solemnity. The technique demonstrates Vallotton's developing skill and attention to detail.
History & Provenance
The work is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it can be found near the early modern prints collection.
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.
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