Masque was painted by Henri-Charles Guérard in 1895.

Where can I see Masque?

Masque is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Masque?

Masque is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Masque?

Museum-quality prints of Masque are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Masque

Henri-Charles Guérard , 1895

Masque is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Henri-Charles Guérard. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Henri‑Charles Guérard’s print Masque (1895) is an etching executed in a single red hue on a sheet of Japanese paper. The work presents a stark, graphic portrait that occupies the entire surface, its bold line work contrasting with the paper’s light tone.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a stylised face with an exaggerated grin, teeth exposed and thick, furrowed eyebrows. The head is rendered without a neck or body, giving the impression of a mask or theatrical façade, suggesting themes of performance and concealment.

Technique & Style

Guérard employed a traditional intaglio process, incising the design into a metal plate and using acid to deepen the lines. The ink was applied only to the incised lines, producing a line‑only impression in vivid red, a choice that heightens the graphic intensity of the composition.

History & Provenance

Created in Paris during the late nineteenth‑century revival of printmaking, Masque reflects Guérard’s active involvement with etching and lithography at that time. The work remains documented as part of his oeuvre of prints produced in the 1890s.