Artwork
'Diablotin.'
'Diablotin.' is a print by Charles Vernier. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Charles Vernier’s lithograph *Diabletin* presents a full‑length female figure in theatrical costume. She wears a black half‑mask over her eyes, a red cap topped with upright feathers, a low‑cut black bodice, and a red skirt layered over pantaloons, all completed by a trailing black cloak. A smaller rear view of the figure appears at the right edge of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The title, *Diablotin* (Little Devil), and the label *Bals Fashionables de l’Opéra* suggest the work captures a moment from a fashionable opera ball, where masked participants performed lively dances. The mask and dramatic pose convey a sense of mystery and playful mischief typical of such masquerade events.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on the contrast of dark and bright areas to model the figure’s form, a technique Vernier employed to suggest depth and movement. The crisp line work defines the elaborate costume, while the fluid handling of the drapery conveys motion.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Victoria and Albert Museum through the Cyril Beaumont Bequest, a collection assembled by the noted ballet historian and collector. Its inclusion in this bequest links the work to a broader assemblage of performance‑related art.
Context
Vernier was active in the late nineteenth‑century French print market, producing images that documented contemporary theatrical and social spectacles. *Diablotin* reflects the era’s fascination with opera‑house masquerades, where elaborate dress and masks were central to the visual culture of public entertainment.
Artist & collection
