Marie Alexandre Alophe

Marie Alexandre Alophe was an artist active across the four decades spanning 1812 to 1852. The documented output of the artist consists solely of prints, a medium through which Alophe engaged with diverse subjects ranging from genre studies to social commentary and illustration for periodicals.

The artist’s work is held in several significant international institutions, including the Rijksmuseum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Eight of the artist’s prints are currently represented in these collections, confirming their art historical relevance in the early to mid-19th century.

Examples of Alophe’s prints demonstrate a variety of themes, including the detailed genre study Melancholy, young man with folded hands sitting on window sill. Other works indicate an involvement with satirical and journalistic illustration, such as Polignac Patissier de l'ex-Cour de France and Musée pour rire no 3, dernier numéro du journal des modes. The inclusion of pieces like Une maison de la rue de la Victoire, from "L'Artiste" further situates Marie Alexandre Alophe prints within the sphere of published artistic journalism.

Due to their historical age, many such works often reside in the public domain, making them easily accessible. Institutions can now provide high-quality prints and archival images, ensuring these historical documents remain available for scholarly research and appreciation.