Artwork
'Diablotin.'
'Diablotin.' is a print by Charles Vernier. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Charles Vernier’s lithograph Diabletin presents a full‑length female figure in theatrical costume. She wears a black half‑mask over her eyes, a red cap topped with upright feathers, a low‑cut black bodice, and a red skirt layered over pantaloons, all completed by a trailing black cloak. A smaller rear view of the figure appears at the right edge of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The title, Diablotin (Little Devil), and the label Bals Fashionables de l’Opéra suggest the work captures a moment from a fashionable opera ball, where masked participants performed lively dances. The mask and dramatic pose convey a sense of mystery and playful mischief typical of such masquerade events.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on the contrast of dark and bright areas to model the figure’s form, a technique Vernier employed to suggest depth and movement. The crisp line work defines the elaborate costume, while the fluid handling of the drapery conveys motion.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Victoria and Albert Museum through the Cyril Beaumont Bequest, a collection assembled by the noted ballet historian and collector. Its inclusion in this bequest links the work to a broader assemblage of performance‑related art.
Context
Vernier was active in the late nineteenth‑century French print market, producing images that documented contemporary theatrical and social spectacles. Diablotin reflects the era’s fascination with opera‑house masquerades, where elaborate dress and masks were central to the visual culture of public entertainment.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
