Autumn (1735–86)
Original title: Autumn
kurzbeschreibung
Claude Augustin Duflos le Jeune devotes his etching "Der Herbst" (Autumn) to children at play in a seasonal setting. Created between 1735 and 1786, the motif belongs to a series of the four seasons and links a everyday scene with symbolic meaning.
Description
Three children have settled on a piece of fur; one holds grapes in his hand. Another lies stretched out on the ground, reaching for one of the berries. Scattered leaves on trees and shrubs point to the time of year. A little apart, a child sits and looks over at the others. Fine, confident lines and soft gray shading characterize the print.
Context
Duflos le Jeune is counted among the French copperplate engravers of the 18th century and was known above all for reproductions and scenes of everyday life. The sheet probably belongs to a four-part series of the seasons, as were prized in the Rococo as decorative collector's prints. The date 1735–86 covers the artist's entire working period; a more precise dating cannot be established.
Impact
The lively interplay of the children gives the motif vivacity and grace. A calm layout and careful linework lend the sheet a cheerful, elegant note. Instead of melancholy over what passes, autumn here stands for abundance and childlike joy.
Technique
Etching and engraving complement each other in this print: the combination of both processes produces the fine contours and the precise shading. The gray tone results from printing the etched and engraved plate. This impression is trimmed, and the original margins are missing.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)