Man met viool

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Adolphe Mouilleron's "Man met viool" offers a sensitive glimpse into mid-nineteenth-century musical life. Created between 1851 and 1865, the lithograph depicts a solitary male figure with his violin, rendered with the soft tonal gradations and precise line work that lithography made possible. At 345 × 250 mm, the print’s intimate scale encourages close viewing, inviting the observer to linger over the quiet concentration of the musician. Lithography was then at its height as a democratic medium, enabling artists to circulate images widely and affordably. Mouilleron, active in France during the Romantic era, excelled at translating the textures of clothing, wood grain, and expressive gesture into this reproducible format. The work thus reflects both the era’s fascination with music as an emblem of inner emotion and the technical advances that brought such imagery into homes and private collections. The collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further situates the print within a distinguished provenance, underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. Together, these elements make "Man met viool" a modest yet eloquent testament to the intersection of art, music, and print culture in the 1800s.

About the Artist

Adolphe Mouilleron · 1820–1881

Adolphe Mouilleron (1820–1881) was a French painter and lithographer whose significant contributions to French printmaking and co-founding role in the artists' collective 'Les Artistes Contemporains' made him an important figure in mid-19th-century Parisian art. Born in Paris on December 20, 1820, Mouilleron achieved recognition through both his original lithographs and paintings, earning multiple...