Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt by Félix González-Torres

Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt

Félix González-Torres

Scroll

“This etching offers an intimate portrait of the 19th-century writer Edmond de Goncourt, captured with a delicate precision that reveals both character and artistic skill. It's a quiet moment, inviting you to observe the details of a literary mind.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this etching, the writer Edmond de Goncourt appears in profile, his gaze directed beyond the frame as if lost in thought. The artist captures a sense of quiet intensity, using delicate lines to define his features and the texture of his clothing. De Goncourt's prominent nose and neatly trimmed beard are rendered with meticulous detail, anchoring the portrait in a moment of focused observation. The cream wove paper provides a warm, subtle backdrop, allowing the etched lines to stand out with clarity. This work offers a glimpse into the intellectual world of 19th-century Paris, presenting a figure known for his literary contributions and keen observations of society. The intimate scale and precise execution invite a close viewing, revealing the artist's skillful hand in translating a living presence into a timeless image.

DETAILS
Artist
Félix González-Torres
Medium
Etching on cream wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Image: 46 × 32 cm (18 1/8 × 12 5/8 in.); Sheet: 59.7 × 41.2 cm (23 9/16 × 16 1/4 in.)
Collection
Prints and Drawings
Culture
France
Credit line
Joseph Brooks Fair Endowment
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt
01

The distinctive profile of Edmond de Goncourt.

02

The delicate cross-hatching that defines his jacket.

03

The subtle texture of the cream wove paper.

04

De Goncourt's intense, distant gaze.

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Félix González-Torres

1957–1996 · Cuba

Félix González-Torres transformed everyday objects like light bulbs and wrapped candies into profound meditations on love, loss, and public engagement.

Read González-Torres’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by González-Torres

1 / 2
Hear Portrait of Edmond de Goncourt’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open