The Alert
1895
Félix Vallotton was a master of the woodcut revival in the 1890s, and this piece, 'L'alerte' (The Alarm), showcases his signature bold, graphic style that looks like a precursor to modern comic strips. Using stark black and white, he creates a scene of high tension where a flock of swans or geese rushes through dark water. A central figure reaches out as the birds approach, while a row of spectators in tunics watches from the background. The title suggests a moment of sudden warning—likely referencing the famous Roman legend where sacred geese honked to alert the city of an invading army.
- Technique
- Woodcut
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