Art Institute of Chicago

The Departure, plate 4 from Paul et Virginie

Charles-Melchior Descourtis (French, 1753-1820)

Date

1795-97

Medium

Etching and engraving printed in yellow, blue, red, and black inks on ivory laid paper

Culture

France

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This image illustrates Virginie, on the far right, bidding farewell to her family before boarding a ship bound for Paris. The drama of the scene is heightened by moody contrasts between moonlight and shadow, as well as the island’s exaggeratedly “exotic” geography, which includes the rocky cliff where the family has gathered. Virginie’s pained mother reaches out to her, while Paul clasps Virginie’s waist in protest and gestures towards the waiting vessel, pleading for permission to join her. The work also depicts the story’s narrator for the first time, shown here on the left next to Paul’s mother.

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