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Levite of Ephraim and His Dead Wife

Fuchs, M.G.

1898

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Levite of Ephraim and His Dead Wife is a 1898 ink by Fuchs, M.G., a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Fuchs, M.G.
When & what style?: 1898 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a small, dark scene with a few objects on a shelf. In the front sits a white, smooth object that looks like a skull. Behind it, a pile of clothes or fabric is crumpled up, and a small, dark bundle—maybe a shoe or a wrapped item—rests on top. The background is mostly black with faint lines, making the objects stand out. The title hints this might be about death, but the artist focused on simple shapes and textures. The skull is almost glowing, while the fabric looks rough and tangled. The dark background makes the scene feel quiet and still. If you like this style, check out lithography to see how artists create prints like this.