Who painted Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso)?

Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso) was painted by Thomas Couture in 1857.

Where can I see Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso)?

Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso)?

Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso)

Thomas Couture , 1857

Duel after the Masked Ball (recto); Head of a Woman (verso) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Thomas Couture. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1983.95
Credit line: Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund

About this work

Overview

This double-sided drawing by Thomas Couture, a French history painter, dates to around 1857. It features a dramatic scene on one side and a study of a woman's head on the other.

Subject & Meaning

The recto depicts two figures in a dynamic, possibly confrontational, scene following a masked ball. The verso presents a rapid sketch of a woman's face, focusing on her eyes and nose.

Technique & Style

Couture's drawing style is characterized by swift, expressive lines and varying degrees of detail. The recto shows a more developed scene with rough and smudged elements, while the verso is a loose, cursory study.

History & Provenance

As a prominent artist and teacher, Couture influenced notable pupils like Édouard Manet. His work contributed to the academic tradition in mid-19th-century French art.