Religions and Religion

1888·Charcoal, with stumping, on canvas prepared with a white oil paint ground·45.1 × 37.5 cm (17 13/16 × 14 13/16 in.)

<p>Fantin' s composition is inspired by Victor Hugo's 1880 poem "Religions and Religion." In one long section of the poem, the poet listens to voices emanating from clouds that discuss the nature and history of man's religions. The drawing served as a <em> maquette </em>, or model, for an illustration in the collected works of Victor Hugo (1802-1885), which was published by the French government after the poet's death.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1888
Medium: Charcoal, with stumping, on canvas prepared with a white oil paint ground
Dimensions: 45.1 × 37.5 cm (17 13/16 × 14 13/16 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Henri Fantin-Latour

Artist

Henri Fantin-Latour

Painting

Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.

Grenoble, France

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