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Henri Fantin-Latour

Religions and Religion

1888
Charcoal, with stumping, on canvas prepared with a white oil paint ground
45.1 × 37.5 cm (17.8 × 14.8 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Fantin' s composition is inspired by Victor Hugo's 1880 poem "Religions and Religion." In one long section of the poem, the poet listens to voices emanating from clouds that discuss the nature and history of man's religions. The drawing served as a maquette , or model, for an illustration in the collected works of Victor Hugo (1802-1885), which was published by the French government after the poet's death.

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