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
Dominant colour
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, caught mid-motion. A man in a fancy coat holds a fan, while two women in long dresses wave their arms—one looks surprised, the other clutches a fan too. A fireplace and a few chairs sit in the background, and a broken fan lies on the floor. The artist used fine lines to show movement and emotion, making it feel lively. This style was popular in the late 1700s. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
