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Henri Fantin-Latour (1836-1904)
France, 1870
Signed and dated: Fantin 70
Oil on canvas
95 x 123 cm
Inv. no. 257
The subject of reading appeared in several well-known works by this artist, forming an important group within his body of work. Not only is this painting a fine example of Henri Fantin-Latour’s intimate style, which was always faithful to the restrained ideal of the portrayal of realistic feelings, but it also introduces the observer into the artist’s chosen world: a domestic, poetic and dreamlike environment with a somewhat slightly melancholy atmosphere.
The left side of the canvas shows Victoria Dubourg, the author’s future wife; while the enigmatic figure of Charlotte Dubourg dominates the right side, clearly capturing the attention of the observer and/or the painter. Charlotte frequently appears in the artist’s work and a potential “unspoken understanding” between the model and the artist has been suggested. Another significant aspect is the psychological distance between the two sisters. The contrast between the painting’s lit and darker areas heightens that distance, giving the scene an unexpected psychological density.
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