Homage à Rimbaud (Hommage to Rimbaud) 1945

Curator: Welcome. Today, we are looking at Roger Vieillard's 1945 etching titled "Homage à Rimbaud." Vieillard was known for his delicate and intricate printmaking, and this piece, inspired by the Symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud, showcases his technical skill. Editor: It certainly does! At first glance, the image is rather unsettling. It seems to present a skeletal archway composed of bone or perhaps petrified wood, which sharply contrasts with the delicate wildflowers at its base and the somewhat serene arctic landscape in the distance. There is something of a disconnect here that I can't quite resolve. Curator: Indeed. The piece juxtaposes decay and vitality, which can be understood through the historical lens of post-World War II Europe. There is this tangible sense of trying to reconstruct and make peace after devastation, mirrored by the flowers at the foot of the decaying architecture. The reference to Rimbaud, a poet who challenged societal norms and delved into the darker aspects of human existence, suggests a deliberate engagement with themes of trauma and societal rebirth. Editor: I appreciate that reading of postwar trauma reflected in the artwork. Thinking intersectionally, I am particularly drawn to that textual element included on the print "Le pavillon en viande saignante / sur la soie des mers / et des fleurs arctiques" [the pavilion in bleeding meat / on the silk of the seas / and arctic flowers], which lends the artwork another layer of tension: it further underlines the contrasting themes of decay and purity that the print depicts. Do you believe that the Surrealist style here amplifies the emotional impact? Curator: Definitely. Vieillard embraced surrealism's techniques to probe deeper into the human condition. The style invites us to question our perceptions and accept a fractured view of the world as something honest. The artist has intentionally blurred boundaries, questioning our relationship to destruction, hope, life and mortality. Editor: I agree. Looking closely, the meticulous etching is also deeply revealing; Vieillard's skillful lines evoke a sense of fragile beauty amidst decay. I now appreciate its quiet yet powerful statement about the cyclical nature of destruction and renewal. Curator: It invites contemplation beyond face value. We considered its engagement with history, social norms and emotional impact. Editor: Yes, hopefully this gave everyone listening here some tools to question traditional modes of representation.