Chinese Peasant
Original title: Chinese Peasant
kurzbeschreibung
François Boucher's etching "Chinesische Bäuerin" (original title: "Paisane Chinoise") was made between 1738 and 1745 and shows a woman in traditional Chinese dress carrying a basket. The print measures 12.2 × 13.8 cm and belongs to a series of chinoiseries Boucher produced in the 1730s and 1740s.
Description
Your eye settles first on the woman herself, turned inward and standing in a garden setting, her head wrapped in a cloth and a basket of fruit or vegetables in her hand. A dog rests on the ground beside her. Plants and a potted specimen furnish the surrounding space.
Context
Boucher made this etching between 1738 and 1745, years when chinoiseries were warmly received in French art. He was then working in the circle of Louis XV's court as the king's painter. The turn toward Chinese motifs matched a contemporary enthusiasm for the exotic Far East, even though Boucher never set foot in China.
Impact
A quiet, idyllic mood greets the viewer, brought about by the woman's contemplative bearing and the peaceful garden setting. Delicate lines and a clear layout give the sheet an elegant, almost tender quality.
Technique
This work is an etching, an intaglio process in which the drawing is scratched into a metal plate and then bitten with acid. Boucher used fine, precise lines to bring out the details of clothing and plants. The sheet was printed on paper that was later trimmed.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)