Who painted The Moles (Les Taupes)?

The Moles (Les Taupes) was painted by Félix Bracquemond in 1854.

Where can I see The Moles (Les Taupes)?

The Moles (Les Taupes) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Moles (Les Taupes)?

The Moles (Les Taupes) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Moles (Les Taupes)?

Museum-quality prints of The Moles (Les Taupes) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Moles (Les Taupes)

Félix Bracquemond , 1854

The Moles (Les Taupes) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix Bracquemond. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in plate, in image, at upper right: Bracquemond [underlined] / inv & fec; in plate, in image, at lower left on stone: 1854 [underlined] / Aux ramilles du peuplier / Danse la taupe suspendue, / Et vers la ferme de Taupier / Va réclamer la somme due.; in plate, below image, at right: Imp Pierron rue de Montfaucon No. 1; at upper right, in graphite, in later hand: B.134 / III; at lower left, in graphite, in later hand: H. B. 134 - Les Taupes, 3me état; verso: at bottom right, in graphite, in later hand: 18125 / [indecipherable]
Markings: Marked:none

About this work

Overview

The Moles (Les Taupes) is an 1854 etching with stipple on laid paper by Félix Henri Bracquemond, a pivotal French artist in the revival of printmaking. This work showcases Bracquemond's experimentation with technique and his contribution to the burgeoning influence of Japonisme in 19th-century France.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dark, entangled scene of mole-like creatures navigating a tangle of roots, branches, and vague, distant buildings. The image is accompanied by a serpentine French text that enumerates different types of moles (village, swamp, farm), suggesting a riddle or cautionary message. The subject's interpretation is ambiguous, leaving the viewer to ponder its symbolism.

Technique & Style

Bracquemond employed fine lines and nuanced shading to achieve depth, imbuing the mole creatures with a sense of vitality within their chaotic environment. The stipple technique, combined with etching, allowed for detailed, expressive textures, characteristic of Bracquemond's innovative approach to printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1854, The Moles reflects Bracquemond's role in promoting printmaking among fellow artists, including Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. Bracquemond's personal life also intersects with art history through his marriage to Impressionist painter Marie Bracquemond.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Félix Bracquemond

Félix Henri Bracquemond was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker. He played a key role in the revival of printmaking, encouraging artists such as Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro to use this technique.