Artwork
"Tire de l'Orginal de Montieur Paulen bey Fietta et Comp."
"Tire de l'Orginal de Montieur Paulen bey Fietta et Comp." is a print by Fietta et Comp.. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Central to the composition are three figures engaged in a traditional dance, while two musicians in the background play bagpipes and a hurdy‑gurdy.
This circular woodcut, produced by the workshop Fietta et Comp., presents a modest rural tableau. Central to the composition are three figures engaged in a traditional dance, while two musicians in the background play bagpipes and a hurdy‑gurdy. The inscription beneath the image reads “Tire de l'Orginal de Montieur Paulen bey Fietta et Comp.” indicating that the print is a reproduction of an earlier work.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures everyday life in a peasant village, emphasizing communal celebration through music and dance. The presence of folk instruments and the informal arrangement of figures suggest a focus on local customs and the social cohesion of rural communities.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the image relies on bold lines and stark contrasts typical of the medium, producing a graphic clarity that defines the figures and architectural elements. The circular format frames the composition, directing attention to the central dancers while the surrounding landscape recedes into simplified forms.
History & Provenance
The print entered the museum’s collection through the bequest of Cyril Beaumont, a noted collector of prints and illustrated books. Its provenance prior to this donation is not fully documented, and the identity of “Montieur Paulen,” referenced in the title, remains uncertain.
Context
Woodcut reproductions of paintings were common in the 19th‑century market for disseminating popular images. This work likely served to make a specific genre scene, originally painted by an unknown artist, accessible to a broader audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
Fietta et Comp. made prints in the 18th-century Paris print trade. Their work “Tire de l'Orginal de Montieur Paulen bey Fietta et Comp.” shows a busy street scene with carriages and pedestrians under a clear sky. These…
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