Artwork
Il en est nâvre, je l'entraine avec peine
Il en est nâvre, je l'entraine avec peine is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Noël Le Mire. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Noël Le Mire’s 1779 print, titled Il en est nâvre, je l’entraîne avec peine, is an engraving executed in black and white. The composition presents a small group of five figures dressed in the elaborate attire of the late eighteenth century, arranged within a dim interior space.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a man in a loose robe standing near an open window, gazing outward, while two men and two women in powdered wigs and ornate gowns cluster near a doorway. A caption in French, translating to “I drag him along reluctantly,” implies a narrative of resistance or reluctance on the part of the man by the window.
Technique & Style
Created through engraving, Le Mire employed fine line work to render the textures of fabrics, the play of light and shadow, and the intricate details of the figures’ accessories, such as a fan and a wide, flowing skirt. The monochrome palette emphasizes contrast and depth within the confined interior.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in 1779, during the latter part of Le Mire’s career as a French printmaker. It was likely circulated among collectors of the period, though specific ownership records are scarce.
Context
Le Mire’s work reflects the Rococo fascination with fashionable society and interior scenes, a common theme in French printmaking of the 1770s. The depiction of contemporary dress and domestic settings aligns with the era’s interest in portraying everyday aristocratic life.
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