Scène uit ballet Roodkapje en de wolf - Charles Rochussen

A dramatic lithograph by Charles Rochussen depicting a tense moment from a nineteenth-century ballet performance of Little Red Riding Hood.

This lithograph by Charles Rochussen captures a dramatic moment from a theatrical production of the Little Red Riding Hood ballet. Rochussen, a Dutch painter and illustrator known for his historical and literary subjects, demonstrates his ability to translate the energy of the stage into a static medium. The composition focuses on the interaction between the dancer portraying the protagonist and the performer in the wolf costume, while a third figure lurks in the background, adding a sense of narrative tension.

The work reflects the mid-nineteenth-century fascination with fairy tales and their adaptation into popular stage performances. Rochussen employs a soft, tonal approach to the lithographic process, using varied pressure to create depth within the forest setting. The dancer is depicted in a classic ballet pose, her costume rendered with light, fluid strokes that contrast with the darker, more textured treatment of the wolf and the surrounding foliage. The inclusion of the lithographer's credit, Dieperink & Co., indicates this was likely produced as a commercial print or a souvenir for theatre-goers of the period.

Technically, the print relies on the expressive potential of lithography to convey atmosphere. The artist avoids rigid outlines, preferring instead to build form through shading and cross-hatching. This technique allows the figures to emerge from the gloom of the woods, drawing the viewer's eye to the central confrontation. The work provides a glimpse into the visual culture of the era, where classical ballet and folklore intersected to entertain audiences. It remains a fine example of the illustrative style that defined much of Rochussen's career, showing his skill in capturing movement and character within a theatrical context.