Ravens in the Snow

Henri-Charles Guérard

ca. 1890–91 · Drypoint, etching and roulette · Drawings and Prints

This large-scale etching contrasts the rich blacks of the ravens, arranged frieze-like in a variety of attitudes, against a pale background with a high horizon line. The composition appears indebted to the ink paintings of crows by Guérard’s Japanese contemporary Kawanabe Kyōsai, such as "Crow Flying in the Snow," ca. 1887 (14.76.61.34). The printmaker gained significant knowledge of Japanese art from his work as the illustrator of Louis Gonse's two-volume book "L'Art Japonais" (1883) based on the study of objects in renowned Parisian collections.

Artist

Henri-Charles Guérard

Date

ca. 1890–91

Medium

Drypoint, etching and roulette

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Purchase, Peco Foundation, 2023