Artist: William Dannat
Year: 1882
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 37 x 20.5 inches
Style: Figurative
Period: Late 19th Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: William Dannat’s Contrebandier Aragonais (Aragonese Smuggler), painted in 1883, stands out as a remarkable example of 19th-century realism. The painting features a life-sized figure of a man in a simple, nearly empty space, drinking from a jug held above his head. His stance—feet apart and firmly planted—gives the figure a strong, grounded presence. A sack at his feet, possibly holding contraband, is the only other notable element in the scene, emphasizing the smuggler’s solitary existence.
What sets this work apart is Dannat’s ability to breathe life into his subject. While the painting is meticulously rendered, it’s not just the technical skill that draws attention. Dannat imbues the figure with a sense of character and emotion, creating a connection with the viewer. It’s this balance of realism and artistic insight that makes Contrebandier Aragonais such a compelling piece.
Artist: William Dannat
Year: 1882
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 37 x 20.5 inches
Style: Figurative
Period: Late 19th Century
Condition: Excellent
Description: William Dannat’s Contrebandier Aragonais (Aragonese Smuggler), painted in 1883, stands out as a remarkable example of 19th-century realism. The painting features a life-sized figure of a man in a simple, nearly empty space, drinking from a jug held above his head. His stance—feet apart and firmly planted—gives the figure a strong, grounded presence. A sack at his feet, possibly holding contraband, is the only other notable element in the scene, emphasizing the smuggler’s solitary existence.
What sets this work apart is Dannat’s ability to breathe life into his subject. While the painting is meticulously rendered, it’s not just the technical skill that draws attention. Dannat imbues the figure with a sense of character and emotion, creating a connection with the viewer. It’s this balance of realism and artistic insight that makes Contrebandier Aragonais such a compelling piece.
