Artwork
La soiree d'hyver
La soiree d'hyver is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francois-Robert Ingouf. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. La soirée d’hiver is a black‑and‑white print produced in 1774 by the French engraver Francois‑Robert Ingouf.
About this work
Overview
La soirée d’hiver is a black‑and‑white print produced in 1774 by the French engraver Francois‑Robert Ingouf. Executed as an engraving, the work depicts an intimate interior scene illuminated by candlelight, with three figures arranged around a table and a modest array of furnishings.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a winter evening indoors: a man in a long coat holds a book beside a candle‑lit table, a lady in an elaborate dress reclines while fanning herself, and a second woman kneels nearby, cradling a small dog. The title suggests a quiet, domestic respite from the cold season, emphasizing contemplation and genteel leisure.
Technique & Style
Ingouf achieved depth through careful gradations of line and cross‑hatching, a demanding approach in engraving that renders the figures with a convincing three‑dimensionality. The subtle shading distinguishes light from shadow, particularly around the candles, the clock, and the chandelier, enhancing the atmospheric mood.
History & Provenance
Created in the late eighteenth century, the print reflects the period’s interest in genre scenes that capture everyday aristocratic life. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work remains a representative example of Ingouf’s printmaking output and of French engraving practices of the 1770s.
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