Fantaisies par Charlet 1832
Medium
lithography
Dimensions
338; 247
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a
Art Historical Context
**Fantaisies par Charlet1832** is a captivating lithography by Nicolas Toussaint Char, a prolific French artist renowned for his witty caricatures and vivid depictions of military life during the Napoleonic era. Created in 1832, this print measures 338 mm high by 247 mm wide, showcasing Charlet's mastery of lithography—a revolutionary printing technique that allowed for nuanced tonal effects and mass reproduction, making art accessible beyond elite circles. His "Fantaisies" series often blended humor with everyday scenes, reflecting the Romantic spirit of post-Revolutionary France under the July Monarchy. Charlet's style, rooted in caricature and genre painting, captured the camaraderie of soldiers and the follies of civilian life with sharp observation and expressive lines. Lithography suited his dynamic approach perfectly, enabling fluid sketches transferred directly from stone to produce rich, detailed images. Produced amid France's shifting political landscape, works like this evoked nostalgia for Napoleon's empire while poking fun at contemporary society. On the verso, it bears a collector's mark stamped Lugt 2228a, a testament to its prized status among connoisseurs. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how Charlet's playful fantasies bridged fine art and popular print culture, preserving a slice of 19th-century French imagination.
About the Artist
Nicolas Toussaint Charlet · 1792–1845
Comment on works: genre