Artwork

laatikko

laatikko, by Calteaux-Bargue
laatikko, by Calteaux-Bargue

laatikko is a drawing by Calteaux-Bargue. It is held in the collection of the Helsinki City Museum. The work consists of a wooden container with a removable lid.

About this work

Overview

The work consists of a wooden container with a removable lid. Inside the lid a loose, faded drawing in red, blue and black is applied, while the interior of the box contains fragmented pieces of colored chalk scattered across a layer of sand. The box shows signs of wear, indicating frequent handling.

Subject & Meaning

The interior drawing appears as an informal arrangement of smudged marks that suggest spontaneous experimentation rather than a finished composition. The presence of broken chalk fragments alongside the drawing points to a process of material exploration, inviting viewers to consider the act of making as part of the artwork.

Technique & Style

The artist employs simple drawing implements, chalk and possibly ink or watercolor, to create loosely rendered shapes that merge with the surrounding sand. The use of cross‑hatching and overlapping strokes produces a texture that blurs the boundary between drawing and collage.

History & Provenance

The wooden box shows considerable wear, implying it has been handled repeatedly over time. No specific information about the creator, date of production, or prior ownership is provided, limiting the work’s documented provenance.

Context

The piece aligns with contemporary practices that foreground the materiality of art objects, emphasizing process, impermanence, and the tactile qualities of everyday substances such as chalk and sand.

maalauslaatikko
maalauslaatikko, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Calteaux-Bargue

This artist worked in Paris during the late 1800s, making drawings that capture simple, everyday objects with clean lines and careful shading.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Helsinki City Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted laatikko?

laatikko was painted by Calteaux-Bargue.

Where can I see laatikko?

laatikko is held by Helsinki City Museum.