Intérieur de Paysans (Peasant interior) 1850

Rodolphe Bresdin's 1850 etching "Intérieur de Paysans" (Peasant Interior) depicts a dramatic scene of a Christ-like figure crucified on a tree trunk, surrounded by a crowd of people. The artist’s signature “Bresdin” appears in the lower right corner of the work, adding to the haunting atmosphere of the piece. Bresdin's use of dramatic light and shadow, along with the use of cross-hatching, contribute to the sense of depth and texture in the composition, making the scene seem both realistic and surreal. The work’s small size, only 2 3/16 × 3 1/4 inches, adds to its intimacy and intensity.