Portrait of Madame Hector de Callias (Nina de Villart)
Medium
Drypoint
Dimensions
Sheet: 14 1/16 × 10 3/16 in. (35.7 × 25.9 cm) Plate: 9 5/16 × 6 1/4 in. (23.7 × 15.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1922
Accession Number
22.63.171
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 19th century, artist Marcellin Desbout captured the poised elegance of Madame Hector de Callias, known affectionately as Nina de Villart in this intimate 1879 drypoint. Created during a vibrant era of artistic innovation in Paris, the work exemplifies Desboutin's skill as a printmaker, blending realism with a personal touch. Nina, a notable figure in artistic circles, gazes directly at the viewer alongside her loyal dogs, evoking a sense of companionship and domestic warmth. Drypoint, the medium here, is a demanding intaglio technique where the artist scratches directly into a cop...
About the Artist
Marcellin Desboutin|Nina de Villart · 1823–1902
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