Artwork
Help! My cutlet's being stolen!
Help! My cutlet's being stolen! is a print by Félix Vallotton. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1901, 'Help!
- Accession no.
- 2011.477
- Credit line
- Bequest of John Bonebrake
About this work
Overview
Help! My cutlet's being stolen! is a print created by Félix Vallotton for the satirical magazine L'Assiette au Beurre.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a cat defending its kitchen against a rat stealing a breaded cutlet, illuminated by a sliver of light from a half-open door. The scene is part of a series, Crimes and Punishments, that humorously portrays everyday 'crimes'.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the print features sharp black-and-white lines that dramatize the scene. The use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, heightens the tension in the image.
History & Provenance
The print was published on March 1, 1902, as plate 20 in L'Assiette au Beurre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Édouard Vallotton (French: ; December 28, 1865 – December 29, 1925) was a Swiss and French painter and printmaker associated with the group of artists known as Les Nabis.
