L'École des veufs; Au Temps de la ballade
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This inkless embossing shows a crowd of men in old coats and hats, some with canes, standing in a loose line. They all face the same direction, like they’re waiting for something. The paper feels raised under your fingers—no ink, just shapes pressed into it. The artist used a rare print trick. Inkless embossing, called gaufrage, presses paper into grooves to make shadows and light without color. It’s like a sketch you can touch. Look up Charpentier, Alexandre next.
