The Parisian (La Parisienne)

Art Historical Context

### The Parisian (La ParisienneCreated in 1903 by French artist Jacques Villon (1875–1963), *The Parisian (La Parisienne)* is a striking drypoint print in black ink on laid paper, measuring 45.2 x 34.9 cm on the plate. Villon, elder brother of Marcel Duchamp, a master printmaker in his early career, capturing the vibrant spirit of Belle Époque Paris through elegant, intimate portraits. This work exemplifies his skill in depicting fashionable urban life, with the poised figure of a stylish woman evoking the glamour and modernity of turn-of-the-century France. Drypoint, Villon's favored technique here, involves scratching directly into a metal plate with a sharp tool, raising a soft burr that produces rich, velvety lines and subtle tonal effects upon printing. Unlike etching's precise lines, drypoint's organic texture lends a painterly intimacy, ideal for portraying the fluid drapery of Parisian couture and the model's expressive pose. Printed on laid paper—which reveals faint chain lines from its traditional handmade production—the piece highlights the tactile allure of early 20th-century printmaking. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Prints department (acquired via the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund), *La Parisienne* offers a window into pre-World War I Paris, where art celebrated la vie moderne. Villon's precise yet atmospheric style bridges Impressionist influences with emerging modernism, making this print a gem for visitors exploring the evolution of graphic arts.

About the Artist

Jacques Villon · 1875–1963

Jacques Villon, born Gaston Émile Duchamp on July 31, 1875, in Damville, Normandy, hailed from a family brimming with artistic talent. As the eldest of six children, he grew up alongside his brothers Raymond Duchamp-Villon, a pioneering sculptor, and Marcel Duchamp, the renowned Dadaist, as well as his sister Suzanne Duchamp, also a painter. Their maternal grandfather, Émile Frédéric Nicolle, a pr...