The Tamed Bird
Original title: The Tamed Bird
kurzbeschreibung
Jean Jacques Flipart’s engraving “Der gezähmte Vogel” (The Tamed Bird), made around 1769, presents a young woman with a small bird perched on her hand. The sheet is executed as an etching with engraving, a Rococo work.
Description
A simple gown wraps the woman, her hair gathered in a knot. The bird sits on her hand and looks up at her; her other hand is slightly raised, as if about to touch it. A dark background makes woman and bird stand out. The motif is set within an oval frame, itself enclosed in a rectangular one. Below appear the title “L'Oiseau Provençal” and publisher and place details in French.
Context
Flipart, an eighteenth-century French copper engraver, was known for his fine reproductive engravings. Around 1769 printmaking held great artistic and commercial importance in France. The title “L'Oiseau Provençal” alludes to Provençal culture, which in the eighteenth century was regarded as exotic and appealing.
Impact
Delicate lines and a calm layout give the sheet an intimate, graceful air. Because the background remains dark, the viewer’s attention settles entirely on the figures, producing a contemplative mood.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined, as visible in the fine lines and precise hatching. This allowed textures and lighting effects to be rendered in detail, as was typical of eighteenth-century printmaking.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)