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Policeman with Accused

Pierre Bonnard; Ambroise Vollard; Louis Fort; Octave Mirbeau

Artwork Details

Policeman with Accused
1924
Pierre Bonnard; Ambroise Vollard; Louis Fort; Octave Mirbeau
etching on paper
14 15/16 in x 10 15/16 in (37.9 cm x 27.8 cm);14 15/16 in x 10 15/16 in (37.94 cm x 27.78 cm);11 3/16 in x 8 7/8 in (28.42 cm x 22.54 cm);18 7/8 in x 14 1/16 in (48 cm x 35.7 cm)
Museum Purchase
1957/1.114

Description

Subject Matter:

This work belongs to the set of illustrations that Pierre Bonnard created to illustrate Octave Mirbeau's novel Dingo. The novel is about Mirbeau's pet dog, but is also thought to have political implications. Mirbeau was a known anarchist and radical and this free-willed spirit is portrayed through the character of Dingo who runs afoul of orderly expectations of society. In this scene, Dingo has been caught, presumably for a crime, and is accompanied by a policeman. Though it was completed after Mirbeau's death, the author was familiar with Bonnard's style and found the loose, spontaneous line of his drawing and etching, seen here, to reflect his own sentiments.

Physical Description:

This print shows two figures side-by-side. The figure on the left is a dog, though it sits upright and wears a suit jacket and cravat. The figure on the right looks towards the dog, wearing a cap and military jacket. There is a darkly shaded window behind, and a rail or gate in front. 

Usage Rights:

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