Rigolette bezoekt François Germain in de gevangenis 1843

This lithograph, *Rigolette Visits François Germain in Prison*, was created by Jules David, and is held in the Rijksmuseum collection. The image is structured around a stark division of space and emotion. The linear rigidity of the prison bars creates a visual barrier, intensified by the melancholy figures. The man on the left is slumped with his head bowed, while Rigolette and François embrace tenderly, a contrast that underscores the prison’s emotional toll. David’s work shows his technical skill through the fine lines, but his artistic choices also show the conditions of confinement and emotional weight. There are very few visible light sources in the composition, which evokes feelings of somberness. The lithograph reflects the artist’s concerns with themes of morality and social commentary. By using formal elements like line and space, David creates a narrative that extends beyond the surface, inviting reflections on justice, compassion, and the human condition.