Midday. A Lady Setting Her Watch
Original title: Midday. A Lady Setting Her Watch
kurzbeschreibung
A woman adjusts a clock — that motif gives Gilles Edme Petit's print its title, 'Mittag. Eine Dame stellt ihre Uhr' (Noon. A Lady Sets Her Watch). Executed as an etching with engraving, the undated sheet measures 31.1 by 21.7 cm.
Description
Seated on a piece of furniture, the lady holds a watch in her hand and sets it. Her dress is elaborate: embroidery and folds stand out clearly, making the fabric's texture palpable. Flowers adorn her upswept hair. To the side is a shelf on which a clock and flowers, among other things, can be seen. A window with a parasol appears in the background, casting shade over the woman. The layout is symmetrical, with the woman at the center; the palette remains monochrome in shades of gray.
Context
Gilles Edme Petit, an eighteenth-century French artist, is known mainly for his prints. This sheet belongs to a series of times of day, a popular subject in the Rococo. Courtly life and the fashion of the period — elaborate clothing and accessories — become tangible in it. The exact date of production is unknown, but the style points to the mid-eighteenth century.
Impact
The carefully rendered textures and precise linework give the sheet an elegant, almost delicate aura. The symmetrical arrangement draws attention to the woman's action and creates a quiet, intimate mood.
Technique
Etching and engraving combine here, allowing for exact and richly detailed linework. The monochrome gray palette follows the printmaking practice of the period and emphasizes the work's historical character.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)