About this artwork
In addition to being a major presence in nineteenth-century French literature, Victor Hugo holds a unique position in the realm of the visual arts. His drawings established him as one of the most influential draftsmen of his time, a bridge between the romantics and the symbolists. It is the large-scale abstract works, such as this drawing, broadly handled, unclear, brooding, and mysterious, which are Hugo’s greatest legacy. This particular drawing was obviously highly prized by Hugo; only his major works received lengthy dedications, and this drawing is inscribed on both the mat and frame. The inscription reads in part: “Standing, facing each other, they resemble two black giants ready for battle.”
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Prints and Drawings
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Artist
- Victor Marie Hugo
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Title
- Landscape with Two Ruined Castles
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Place
- France (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- 1847
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Medium
- Brush with brown ink and brown wash, over black crayon and graphite, with shellac, on ivory wove paper, laid down on tan wove paper
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Dimensions
- 26.8 × 46.5 cm (10 9/16 × 18 5/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of the Marjorie Blum-Kovler Collection and the Harry and Maribel G. Blum Foundation
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Reference Number
- 1989.168
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/74110/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
