Finale of the Flying Dutchman, second plate 1885

Henri Fantin-Latour's "Finale of the Flying Dutchman, second plate" (1885) is an etching that depicts a dramatic scene from the opera "The Flying Dutchman." The artwork is a fine example of Fantin-Latour's masterful use of light and shadow, which creates a sense of depth and emotion. The piece shows a couple, perhaps the Dutchman and his love, caught in a tumultuous storm, the woman reaching upwards in a gesture of hope. The etching's gritty texture evokes the turbulent sea while the couple's interaction speaks to the enduring power of love, creating a striking visual dialogue between the earthly and the divine.