A Theater Box
Une Loge (original French title)
Drypoint and aquatint on laid paper. References: Exsteens 286; Arwas 352. Edition of 21 in color. Aside from an edition of 20 in black ink only. Scarce.
Signed and numbered in pencil.
This is a quintessential Legrand image, and hints at all kinds of social realities of Paris at this time. By depicting a theater box, Legrand frames the composition within the confines of the rectangle, thus making the edges of this image sinuous and sensual. He adds a touch of color to make it resemble a watercolor. In the background lurks none other than Gustave Pellet, the publisher of this print. He is seen in at least one other composition lurking, which makes us suppose Legrand to have known him to be a known "lurker". The two women at the center of the composition couldn't be any more jaded. Their hats obstruct the view of the performance, and were clearly a bother, given the woman in the brown hat is still adjusting hers, while the one in the black hat has to fan herself. She is clearly hot, her eyes drooping; or simply bored. Either way, these women were here to be seen. The purpose of being noticed in such a context is open to interpretation, but also puts the performing arts of the time in a context that was often more about social constructs than passion for performance.
