Artwork
Punishment
Punishment is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis-Léopold Boilly. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Their clothes are simple—one wears a hat with a feather, another has a brown cap, and the third has a loose shirt.
Three kids are crowded together in this sketch. The boy on the left is holding a pair of scissors to his own face, looking shocked. The other two are peeking over his shoulders, one laughing and pointing. Their clothes are simple—one wears a hat with a feather, another has a brown cap, and the third has a loose shirt.
The title at the bottom, *La Punition*, hints this might be about a playful prank gone wrong. The artist signed it in 1821, so it’s from the early 1800s.
If you like this kind of lively scene, look up Romanticism.
Overview
Punishment is a print created by Louis-Léopold Boilly in 1821. It is a representative work of the artist's genre scenes, which often depicted everyday life and social customs in early 19th-century France.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows three children crowded together, with one boy holding scissors to his face, appearing shocked, while the others react with amusement. The title, La Punition, suggests that the scene may be depicting a playful prank that has gone awry, resulting in some form of punishment or reprimand.
Technique & Style
Boilly's work is characterized by its attention to detail and ability to capture lively, everyday scenes. The simple yet expressive clothing of the children and the dynamic composition of the print reflect the artist's skill in conveying a sense of movement and emotion.
Context
Punishment is a product of Boilly's work during the Bourbon Restoration period in France, a time of significant social and political change. The print is part of a broader body of work that documents the social customs and domestic scenes of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis-Léopold Boilly was a French painter and draftsman. A creator of popular portrait paintings, he also produced a vast number of genre paintings documenting French middle-class social life. His life and work spanned…
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