Manfred and Astarte (2nd plate) 1881

Henri Fantin-Latour's 1881 etching "Manfred and Astarte (2nd plate)" depicts a dramatic scene from Lord Byron's play Manfred. The titular character, kneeling in despair, gazes up at Astarte, a ghostly figure who appears to be ascending into the night sky. Fantin-Latour's masterful use of light and shadow adds to the eerie atmosphere of this evocative print, emphasizing the emotional tension between the two figures. The etching is a fine example of Fantin-Latour's skill in representing Romantic and literary themes in his artwork.