Plate from l'Assommoir (woman lying on floor) 1878

This etching by Gaston La Touche, titled “Plate from l’Assommoir (Woman lying on floor),” depicts a woman lying lifeless on the floor, her feet extended and her body seemingly limp. The scene is framed by the feet of a figure standing in the doorway, suggesting a moment of despair and tragedy. The dark tones and detailed etching technique create a sense of realism and evoke the bleak atmosphere of Émile Zola's novel "L'Assommoir," from which the scene is inspired. The etching is part of a series of illustrations for Zola's novel, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and urban life in 19th-century France.