The Departure, plate 4 from Paul et Virginie

The Departure, plate 4 from Paul et Virginie

1795·Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on ivory laid paper·Image: 37.5 × 41.2 cm (14 13/16 × 16 1/4 in.); Sheet, cut within platemark: 41.6 × 47.4 cm (16 7/16 × 18 11/16 in.)

<p>This image illustrates Virginie, on the far right, bidding farewell to her family before boarding a ship bound for Paris. The drama of the scene is heightened by moody contrasts between moonlight and shadow, as well as the island’s exaggeratedly “exotic” geography, which includes the rocky cliff where the family has gathered. Virginie’s pained mother reaches out to her, while Paul clasps Virginie’s waist in protest and gestures towards the waiting vessel, pleading for permission to join her. The work also depicts the story’s narrator for the first time, shown here on the left next to Paul’s mother.</p>

Catalogue

Year
1795
Dimensions
Image: 37.5 × 41.2 cm (14 13/16 × 16 1/4 in.); Sheet, cut within platemark: 41.6 × 47.4 cm (16 7/16 × 18 11/16 in.)

Artist

Charles Melchior Descourtis
Charles Melchior Descourtis

Printmaking

Charles-Melchior Descourtis (French, 1753-1820)

Full artist profile →

More

More by Charles Melchior Descourtis

View all →
The Prayer, plate 6 from Paul et Virginie

The Prayer, plate 6 from Paul et Virginie

1795 · Etching and engraving in yellow, blue, red, and black on ivory laid paper

WW-1795-124322
The Arrival of Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, plate 3 from Paul et Virginie

The Arrival of Monsieur de la Bourdonnais, plate 3 from Paul et Virginie

1795 · Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on ivory laid paper

WW-1795-124321
The Night, plate 1 from Paul et Virginie

The Night, plate 1 from Paul et Virginie

1795 · Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on paper

WW-1795-124323
The Fugitive Slave, plate 2 from Paul et Virginie

The Fugitive Slave, plate 2 from Paul et Virginie

1795 · Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on paper

WW-1795-024843
Finding Virginie's Body, plate 5 from Paul et Virginie

Finding Virginie's Body, plate 5 from Paul et Virginie

1795 · Etching and engraving, from four plates, in yellow, blue, red and black, on ivory laid paper

WW-1795-024842
F: S: Wilhelmine de Prusse Princesse d'Orange et de Nassau &&

F: S: Wilhelmine de Prusse Princesse d'Orange et de Nassau &&

1791 · silk

WW-1791-024851

Record

Verified by WattsOS
Year
1795
Dimensions
Image: 37.5 × 41.2 cm (14 13/16 × 16 1/4 in.); Sheet, cut within platemark: 41.6 × 47.4 cm (16 7/16 × 18 11/16 in.)
Watts ID
WW-1795-124320

Source

Source
aic
Status
verified

Artist

Charles Melchior Descourtis

Charles Melchior Descourtis

Printmaking

View artist profile →