Artwork
Vanity Fair: "Hydrophobia"
Vanity Fair: "Hydrophobia" is a print by the Impressionist artist Théobald Chartran. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2014.291
- Credit line
- Bequest of John Bonebrake
About this work
Overview
Théobald Chartran's 1887 print, 'Hydrophobia', is a humorous drawing housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, featuring a caricatured figure with exaggerated facial expressions and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a stern man in formal attire, contradicts his serious demeanor by holding three rabbits. The title 'Hydrophobia' (fear of water) ironically suggests the rabbits may symbolize a humorous, unrelated 'fear' or quirk, rather than the condition itself.
Technique & Style
Executed with careful shading, the work blends exaggerated, cartoon-like characteristics with refined draftsmanship, typical of Chartran's satirical portrait style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1887, 'Hydrophobia' is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, highlighting Chartran's contribution to late 19th-century caricature.
Artist & collection
