Young Woman Reading

1896

Young Woman Reading, 1896. Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier (French, 1856–1909). Embossed color lithograph; image: 16 x 22.8 cm (6 5/16 x 9 in.); sheet: 20 x 28.5 cm (7 7/8 x 11 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1991.228 Primarily a sculptor of medals, Charpentier used embossing techniques to lend three-dimensionality to this print featuring his typical subject matter featuring everyday life. Charpentier was also aware of Japanese woodcuts circulating in Paris during the late 19th century, which provided a precedent for using embossing to create pattern and a three-dimensional effect on a flat sheet of paper. The areas in relief add texture to the waves of the woman's hair and to her dress. Embossing was also used to create the vase of flowers just above the figure's open book. Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier was a proponent of Art Nouveau interior design and decoration.