l'Officieux Valet
1736
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1736
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
l'Officieux Valet is a 1736 ink by Antoine Aveline, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a fancy, messy still life with a mix of fruits, a vase, and a cat curled up among the leaves. The shapes are swirly and dramatic, almost like they’re spilling out of the frame. Shadows and light play across the objects, making them look rich and textured. The title, *l’Officieux Valet* (which means "the helpful valet"), hints this might be a joke—like the cat is the real servant here. The artist used a mix of lines and shading to create depth, which was tricky back then. Check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints with acid and metal plates.
