Un Chemineau

Drypoint on laid paper.

Reference: Tabanelli 30.

Proof of the third state (of four?), before steelfacing, and before the composition was brightened by burnishing throughout, and before an edition of 40. Tabanelli states the existence of 10 impressions in colors. We have yet to see one.

Vagrants could be found throughout Europe in rural areas. These people were known as chemineau is French, from the word chemin, trail/path. They were mostly employed as day laborers and could usually find refuge overnight in a barn. Chahine was drawn to the downtrodden when he first arrived in Paris. Subjects such as these, of poor people being depicted beautifully, with dignity, dominate the first years of his oeuvre.

Signed and annotated “3e état definitive avant l’aciérage” in pencil.

Provenance: Pierre Chahine, son of the artist.