Artwork

An Englishman at Mabille

An Englishman at Mabille, by Gustave Doré, unspecified, 1861
An Englishman at Mabille, by Gustave Doré, unspecified, 1861

An Englishman at Mabille is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Gustave Doré. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Created in 1861, the work An Englishman at Mabille is attributed to the artist Gustave Doré.

Created in 1861, the work An Englishman at Mabille is attributed to the artist Gustave Doré. While some records classify the piece as a painting, other documentation identifies it specifically as a color lithograph produced by the same creator during that year. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

No further details regarding the specific commission, original ownership chain, or the precise circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records.

The color lithograph An Englishman at Mabille (1861) by Gustave Doré is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is catalogued as an object in the museum’s holdings.

The work has been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its public display of works on paper, though specific exhibition records are not enumerated in the cited sources.

Overview

Gustave Doré’s 1861 oil painting An Englishman at Mabille portrays a solitary gentleman seated at a modest round table. Dressed in an immaculate white suit and matching top hat, he lifts a cigar toward his mouth while a teapot, cup, and wine glass occupy the tabletop. The figure rests on a red stool, a pink flower tucked in his pocket, against a dark‑green backdrop of foliage that suggests an intimate, leisurely setting.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of private relaxation, emphasizing the contrast between the sitter’s crisp attire and the subdued, natural surroundings. The inclusion of a cigar, tea service, and wine hints at a blend of social rituals and personal indulgence, while the solitary pose invites contemplation of the individual’s inner calm amid the bustling Parisian life of the era.

Technique & Style

Doré employs a restrained palette, allowing the stark whites of the clothing to dominate against the deep green background. The rendering of light on the porcelain and glass objects demonstrates careful attention to surface texture, while the loose brushwork in the foliage creates atmospheric depth. The composition balances detailed figuration with broader tonal washes, characteristic of Doré’s transitional approach between illustration and fine painting.

Vanity Fair: Statesman, No. 57 "A man of Fashion and Politics"
Vanity Fair: Statesman, No. 57 "A man of Fashion and Politics", Carlo (Ape) Pellegrini

Artist & collection

Portrait of Gustave Doré

Artist

Gustave Doré

Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Doré was a French printmaker, illustrator, painter, comics artist, caricaturist, and sculptor.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted An Englishman at Mabille?

An Englishman at Mabille was painted by Gustave Doré in 1861-01-01.

Where can I see An Englishman at Mabille?

An Englishman at Mabille is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is An Englishman at Mabille?

An Englishman at Mabille is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of An Englishman at Mabille?

Museum-quality prints of An Englishman at Mabille are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.