Femme du Levant, plate 8 from "Recueil de diverses fig.res étrangeres Inventées par F. Boucher P.tre du Roy et Gravées par F. Ravenet"
Original title: Femme du Levant, plate 8 from "Recueil de diverses fig.res étrangeres Inventées par F. Boucher P.tre du Roy et Gravées par F. Ravenet" (Collection of Various Foreign Figures, Devised by F. Boucher, Painter of the King and Engraved [etched] by F. Ravenet)
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike the other sheets in the series, this etching presents a woman from the Levant dressed in a robe with a wide sleeve and a pearl-studded headdress. The design is by François Boucher, and the execution as etching and engraving is by Simon Francis Ravenet the Elder. Made in the 18th century, the print belongs to a series of foreign figures.
Description
On the right, the woman holds a fan, while her left hand gathers the long fabric. She stands at the center of the image and fills almost its entire height. Trees and bushes suggest a landscape behind her. The arrangement feels balanced, with the figure remaining dominant. Rendered in shades of gray, the print uses dense lines and hatching to convey the surfaces of clothing and surroundings.
Context
François Boucher, First Painter to the King, designed the models for this series, which Simon Francis Ravenet the Elder engraved in copper. In the 18th century, exotic and oriental motifs were in demand in European art. Such prints served as models for decorations or as collectibles for art lovers. The term Levant then referred to the eastern Mediterranean regions, whose clothing and customs were considered picturesque in Europe.
Impact
The central placement and calm pose of the figure create a balanced, elegant impression. The delicate network of lines makes the print appear detailed yet tender. The restriction to shades of gray emphasizes its graphic character and draws attention to the drawing of the lines.
Technique
For this print, the etching was reworked with engraving techniques. The structures emerge by etching the plate with acid and then re-engraving it with the burin. This allows precise details and soft tonal gradations, as seen in the clothing and the landscape.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)