Le soufflet
1774
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1774
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Le soufflet is a 1774 ink by Noël Le Mire, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows three people in a room—two women in fancy dresses and one man in a suit. The women are holding flowers and seem to be reacting strongly, maybe laughing or gasping. The man is mid-gesture, like he just slapped one of them playfully. A broken fan lies on the floor, and a fireplace with a fancy mantel is in the background. The scene looks like a moment of surprise or playful drama, with the women’s exaggerated poses and the man’s bold move. The artist used shading to show movement and emotion, even though it’s just a print. If you like this style, check out more about etching.
