Ten past one...

Félix Vallotton's 'Ten past one...' is a captivating color lithograph from 1901, a year that marked a shift in the artist's prolific career. While Vallotton gained international recognition for his innovative woodcuts, characterized by their bold masses of black and white and simplified forms, he largely transitioned away from printmaking after 1901 to focus on painting. This piece, therefore, stands as a testament to his mastery of printmaking at the cusp of this change. Vallotton, a member of the Symbolist group Les Nabis, was known for his unemotional, realistic style, often depicting intimate domestic scenes or candid observations of modern life. His earlier woodcut series, 'Intimacies,' explored the complexities of human relationships within interior settings, and 'Ten past one...' likely continues this exploration, inviting viewers to ponder the narrative unfolding within its frame. The use of color lithography, as opposed to his more characteristic woodcuts, suggests a nuanced approach to capturing mood and detail, offering a glimpse into the emotional undercurrents of the early 20th century.