The Departure, plate 4 from Paul et Virginie
1795-97
Medium
Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on ivory laid paper
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.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
28762
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
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...