Chinoiserie with a woman playing the mouth organ, from Suite de Figures Chinoises. . .Tiré du Cabinet de Mr. d'Azaincourt (Series of Chinoiserie Figures. . .From the Chambers of Mr. d'Azaincourt), plate 3
Original title: Chinoiserie with a woman playing the mouth organ, from Suite de Figures Chinoises. . .Tiré du Cabinet de Mr. d'Azaincourt (Series of Chinoiserie Figures. . .From the Chambers of Mr. d'Azaincourt), plate 3
kurzbeschreibung
Jean Pierre Louis Laurent Hoüel made this etching between 1755 and 1776. It shows a woman in Asian-style dress playing a musical instrument. The print belongs to a series of chinoiserie figures engraved after the cabinet of Monsieur d'Azaincourt. Etching and engraving were combined.
Description
The woman stands at the centre, her hair piled up and adorned with flowers. She wears a long-sleeved gown and a flowing skirt. Her instrument resembles a mouth organ. Trees and a bridge suggest a peaceful landscape. The grey tones remain even, with no visible shadows. Fine lines and hatching give texture to the clothing and structure to the landscape.
Context
Chinoiserie was highly popular in eighteenth-century Europe. European artists translated their notions of China into ornamental and figurative motifs. The series was made after the cabinet of Monsieur d'Azaincourt, pointing to a collection or models in his possession. Hoüel, a French artist, is known for landscapes and travel accounts. The dating 1755–76 suggests a long period of production, possibly linked to the publication of the series.
Impact
The symmetrical layout and calm landscape give the print balance and harmony. The detailed rendering of clothing and background creates a precise, almost ornamental aesthetic typical of chinoiserie. The monochrome execution draws attention to the linework and graphic quality.
Technique
Etching and engraving were combined, so etched and engraved lines sit side by side. Fine hatching and contours attest to careful graphic work, as was usual in eighteenth-century printmaking. The plate measures 22.8 × 17.3 cm, the sheet 34.8 × 26 cm, suggesting a full margin.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)