The 1st of January
1896
Félix Vallotton turns the celebration of New Year's Day into a scene of quiet unease in this 1896 woodcut. A man kneels to offer flowers to a woman who looks down with detached indifference, while a bald, doll-like child stands center stage amidst looming, shadowy figures. This stark black-and-white style is classic Vallotton; he was a master of the woodcut revival in the 1890s, using high contrast to satirize the stiff rituals of bourgeois life. The text 'Le 1er Janvier' anchors the date, while his initials 'FV' stamp this as a sharp social commentary disguised as a holiday greeting.
- Technique
- Woodcut