Artwork
L'Ecureuse
L'Ecureuse is an ink print by the Baroque artist Charles-Nicolas Cochin I. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Markings
- Marked:recto: none; verso: Widener National Gallery of Art
About this work
Overview
L'Ecureuse, an etching and engraving on laid paper executed by Charles‑Nicolas Cochin I in 1740, presents a single figure in an intimate domestic setting. The print captures a moment of personal grooming, rendered with the delicate line work characteristic of eighteenth‑century French printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman seated before a mirror, gently combing her hair. Her composed demeanor and soft expression suggest a private, contemplative pause, inviting viewers to consider themes of self‑care and the quiet rituals of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Cochin employs the combined processes of etching and engraving to achieve a range of line qualities, from fine, atmospheric strokes to more pronounced hatching that defines texture in the dress and furnishings. The use of laid paper adds a subtle tonal variation, enhancing the work’s nuanced surface.
History & Provenance
Created in 1740, L'Ecureuse belongs to Cochin’s mature period, when he was active as a court artist and illustrator. The print has been documented in several nineteenth‑century collections, reflecting its circulation among connoisseurs of French graphic art.
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