Le coup de vent (The Gust of Wind)
1785
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1785
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Le coup de vent (The Gust of Wind) is a 1785 ink by Abraham Girardet, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a woman in flowing clothes being playfully blown by a gust of wind. A man in a hat leans in toward her, holding a walking stick. Nearby, a baby sits on the ground with a dog resting beside it. The background has rocky cliffs and a waterfall. The artist used shading to show movement in the woman’s dress, making it look like it’s fluttering. This was a common trick in etchings to add drama. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Girardet created these detailed lines.
