Manon Lescaut en Chevalier des Grieux in een kamer 1875

Léopold Flameng created this print, ‘Manon Lescaut en Chevalier des Grieux in een kamer,’ using etching and drypoint. The composition is dominated by the figures of Manon and des Grieux, positioned within an interior space defined by strong diagonal lines, the receding walls and drapes suggesting confinement. The use of line here is crucial. Look at how the dense hatching creates areas of shadow that enhance the drama of the scene, and the contrast in the mood. The figures’ gestures, particularly des Grieux's raised hand and anguished expression, serve as visual signs which may be interpreted as defiance. Flameng employs a semiotic language of dress and posture to signal status and emotional state. The setting, with its ornate but oppressive details, reflects the characters’ internal turmoil and their constrained social circumstances. Ultimately, the print invites us to consider how its formal elements work together to create a narrative loaded with layers of social and emotional tension.