Religions and Religion
1888
Henri Fantin-Latour French, 1836-1904
France
Fantin' s composition is inspired by Victor Hugo's 1880 poem "Religions and Religion." In one long section of the poem, the poet listens to voices emanating from clouds that discuss the nature and history of man's religions. The drawing served as a maquette , or model, for an illustration in the collected works of Victor Hugo (1802-1885), which was published by the French government after the poet's death.
Charcoal, with stumping, on canvas prepared with a white oil paint ground