Jeune Seigneur François/Dame en Mantille
1724
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1724
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows three people dressed in fancy 18th-century clothes. The man in the middle wears a knee-length coat with big buttons and a sword at his side. The woman on the right holds a fan and a bundle of flowers, while the woman on the left stands with her back to us, holding a fan too. Their outfits are detailed with lace and patterns, and the background is plain. The title at the bottom calls them "Jeune Seigneur François" and "Dame en Mantille," which hints at French styles of the time. This kind of print was often used to show off the latest fashions. Want to learn more? Check out the technique: etching.
