Head of a Woman Wearing a Ruff, from 'Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres'
Original title: Head of a Woman Wearing a Ruff, from "Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres" (Book of Heads Engraved after F. Boucher and Others)
kurzbeschreibung
An anonymous French print from the 18th century portrays a young woman in profile, adorned with an elaborate hairstyle and a neck ruff. Executed as an etching with engraving, it survives as a single sheet from a series.
Description
Facing left, the woman's profile emerges. Her hair is swept up in waving curls and twisted into a knot at the back of her head. A full, fluffy ruff encircles her neck, fastened with a bow. Fine hatching shapes cheekbones, brows, and lips, while a soft shadow draws out the features. The background stays blank, so that the sitter's head holds the whole focus.
Context
The sheet belongs to a series titled 'Livre de Têtes Gravées d'apres F. Boucher et Autres', engraved after designs by François Boucher and other artists. Head studies of this kind were widely popular in the 18th century, serving painters and drawing enthusiasts as models. The anonymous execution places it within the print production of Paris at the time.
Impact
Through delicate linework and the empty background, the image feels concentrated and intimate. Soft shadows and the detailed rendering of the hairstyle give the portrait an almost drawing-like lightness.
Technique
Etching and engraving are both used, evident in the fine, even lines and precise hatching. Combining the two techniques allows a nuanced modelling of face and hair. The paper has been trimmed to the edge of the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)