Caption

The Invention of the Art of Drawing, Norblin de la Gourdaine, Jean Pierre (1745–1830), graphic artist; Witke-Jezewski, Dominik (1862–1944). French genre scene interior depicting a pair of lovers; motifs include profiles (portraits), shadows, door, stool, light; legendary scene. Very faint traces of aquatint etching visible. Plate worked by Norblin from 1773. Visible traces of successively changed composition: the outline of a seated figure replaced by a door and stairs, and a stool on the opposite side; a filled-in trapezoidal spot is visible. The plate has been cut into an arc at the top; two stages are visible: initially rectangular, then cut at the top into an arc with a slightly flattened upper edge, then polished into a more regular arc. The plate was cut by a later hand—probably the artist’s son—who after his father's death produced new prints in the second half of the 19th century. State and print history include an impression from 1773. Inventory/technical details: 1775 (date), print, graphic matrix/plate; height 20.8 cm, width 16 cm, thickness 0.1 cm., A metallic etched scene shows a standing man and a standing woman close together; the man wears a hat with a feather, a tunic with layered skirt-like garments, high boots, and holds a long staff, while the woman wears a long dress with decorative trim and rests a hand on the man’s shoulder. They stand near a raised stone step leading to a doorway on the left, and a hanging lamp suspended above them. To the right is an ornate piece of furniture with curved legs and patterned upholstery. A small cat-like animal sits on the top left edge of the doorway. The etched surface displays a mottled patina of coppery brown, muted green, and soft pink tones across the background and figures.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A38_494

License type

Rights managed

Available size

79.4Mb (10.4Mb) / 15.4in x 20.0in / 4627 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Invention Art Drawing Norblin de la Gourdaine Jean Pierre 1745–1830 graphic artist Witke-Jezewski Dominik 1862–1944 French genre scene interior depicting pair lovers motifs include profiles portraits shadows door stool light legendary scene faint traces aquatint etching visible Plate worked Norblin 1773 Visible traces successively changed composition outline seated figure replaced stairs opposite side filled-in trapezoidal spot plate cut arc top two stages initially rectangular slightly flattened upper edge polished regular arc was later hand artist’s son father's death produced new prints second half 19th century State print history include impression Inventory technical details 1775 date print graphic matrix height 20.8 cm width 16 cm thickness 0.1 cm metallic etched scene standing man standing woman close together man wears hat feather tunic layered skirt- garments high boots holds long staff woman wears long dress decorative trim rests hand man’s shoulder stand near raised stone step leading doorway left hanging lamp suspended them right ornate piece furniture curved legs patterned upholstery small cat- animal sits edge etched surface displays mottled patina coppery brown muted green soft pink tones across background figures.