The Coffin Bearers 1892

"The Coffin Bearers" (1892) is a wood-engraving by Swiss artist Félix Edouard Vallotton, known for his bold black-and-white compositions. The print depicts a group of men carrying a coffin while others stand by, creating a sense of somberness and detachment. Vallotton's stark, graphic style is reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints, a major influence on his work. The flatness of the forms and the use of black lines lend a sense of formality and even theatricality to the scene.