Chinoiserie with a woman holding cymbals, from Suite de Figures Chinoises. . .Tiré du Cabinet de Mr. d'Azaincourt
Original title: Chinoiserie with a woman holding cymbals, from Suite de Figures Chinoises. . .Tiré du Cabinet de Mr. d'Azaincourt (Series of Chinoiserie Figures. . .From the Chambers of Mr. d'Azaincourt)
kurzbeschreibung
A woman in Chinese dress, a cymbal in her hand: this is Jean Pierre Louis Laurent Hoüel's print from 1755–76. The work belongs to the 'Suite de Figures Chinoises' and was made as an etching, then reworked with engraving.
Description
The figure stands at the front, her body turned slightly away from full frontal, presenting the cymbal. Over a long, patterned gown, her hair is carefully pinned up and woven with flowers. Behind her opens a landscape of trees and bushes with a tower, above which a cloudy sky stretches. The rendering remains detailed throughout and matches the French taste of the eighteenth century.
Context
Between 1755 and 1776, chinoiseries enjoyed great popularity in European art — this work falls within that phase. The design is by François Boucher, and the execution as an engraving was undertaken by Jean Pierre Louis Laurent Hoüel. The series was published from the cabinet of Monsieur d'Azaincourt, which suggests a collection or a commission.
Impact
The viewer's eye is first drawn to the calm posture of the figure, then led past the cymbal into the depth of the landscape. Decorative elegance meets an exotic feel; the finely graded linework and the idealized figure create a harmonious, almost idyllic overall impression. Realistic details and a smoothed scene keep each other in balance.
Technique
Etching and engraving were used in combination — a process that allows delicate lines and precise reproduction of ornamental details. The paper measures 21.2 × 14.4 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)