La Dernière Maja

1880

Félicien Rops

Associated Names
Félicien Rops

Artist, Belgian, 1833 - 1898

This is a drawing of a seated figure surrounded by abstract and fantastical elements. The central focus is a person seated with their back turned, clothed in drapery, positioned before a circular object. The drawing includes surreal elements like serpentine forms and mythical creatures with tails and wings. In each corner, creatures with imaginative designs are depicted, such as merman-like figures with human and fish-like qualities. The upper left of the drawing includes French text. The creatures interact with the surroundings and each other, creating a curious interplay between imaginative realism and myth. The drawing explores the mystical aspects of the human imagination.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    drypoint with etching and aquatint on light blue laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 29.6 x 23.8 cm (11 5/8 x 9 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 45 x 32.1 cm (17 11/16 x 12 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2006.57.30

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Rouir 1987 - 1992, no. 950


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Paul Prouté, S.A., Paris); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased November 6, 1968; gift to NGA, 2006.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1928

  • Exsteens, Maurice. L'Oeuvre grave et lithographie de Felicien Rops. 4 vols. and appendix. Paris: Editions Pellet, 1928.

1987

  • Rouir, Eugène. Félicien Rops, catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre gravé et lithographié. 3 vols. Brussels, 1987 - 1992.

Inscriptions

lower center in graphite: Felicien Rops; lower right in graphite: La Dernière Maja; in plate: Fuyez le / Sourise / Des / Srenis; lower right in plate: DEA / DESINIT / IN / PISCEM!; by later hand, lower center in graphite: 127-0 (crossed out) 4228D

Watermarks

fragment of eagle

Wikidata ID

Q76339320

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