Artwork
Jalousie (Jealousy)
Jalousie (Jealousy) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Eugène Grasset. It dates from 1879 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in image: EG; below roundel in typeset: JALOUSIE / (Estampe décorativ); lower right in typeset: E. Grasset.; lower left in typeset: Art et Décoration.; by later hand, upper right verso in ink: France 19; by later hand, lower right verso in
About this work
Overview
Created in 1879, Jalousie (Jealousy) is a hand‑colored lithograph on wove paper by Swiss artist Eugène Grasset, who was working in Paris during the Belle Époque. The work exemplifies Grasset’s involvement with the emerging Art Nouveau movement, merging ornamental design with a clear, graphic composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a serene woman with golden curls, her expression placid against a backdrop divided into two contrasting zones. To one side, verdant roses and foliage emerge; to the other, a patterned curtain of tiny dots suggests a concealed interior. The title alludes to the tension between the calm figure and the hidden, possibly jealous, layers behind the veil.
Technique & Style
Grasset employed lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for fine line work and flat colour areas, then applied hand‑coloring to enrich the surface. The use of wove paper provides a smooth, even texture, supporting the decorative motifs and the crisp outlines characteristic of Grasset’s Art Nouveau aesthetic, which balances ornamental richness with visual clarity.
History & Provenance
Produced during Grasset’s most prolific period in Paris, the print reflects his interdisciplinary practice across graphic design, illustration, and interior decoration. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been documented in several late‑19th‑century exhibition catalogues, confirming its circulation among contemporary collectors of decorative prints.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Eugène Samuel Grasset (French pronunciation: ; 25 May 1845 – 23 October 1917) was a Swiss decorative artist who worked in Paris, France in a variety of creative design fields during the Belle Époque.
