Arnolphe trekt de geliefden Horace en Agnès uit elkaar 1878 - 1879

Jean-Antoine-Valentin Foulquier created this artwork, "Arnolphe trekt de geliefden Horace en Agnès uit elkaar," using graphite. The print captures a tense moment, constructed through a stark interplay of light and shadow. The figures, caught in what appears to be a forceful separation, are rendered with a tight, almost theatrical composition. Notice how the artist uses line and form to convey the drama of the scene. The stark contrast between the light falling on the central figures and the darker backdrop emphasizes the emotional crux of the narrative. Foulquier’s use of hatching and cross-hatching defines the forms and adds depth, creating a sense of tension and confinement. The architectural elements in the background serve not just as a setting, but as a structural framework that mirrors the interpersonal conflict. The rigid lines of the buildings contrast with the more fluid lines of the figures. The visual dynamic between the characters suggests the broader themes of control, freedom, and the destabilization of relationships. Here, the aesthetic form embodies and amplifies the thematic content.