Le lever de la mariée russe (Custom of the Russians after the Marriage Ceremony and before the Wedding Feast)
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows a busy room with a half-dressed woman lying on a couch, her back turned. Around her, a group of people in old-fashioned clothes are busy—some sewing, one pouring tea, another holding a feather duster. The room looks messy, with clothes on the floor and a dog curled up in the corner. A table holds teacups and a basket of fruit. The scene mixes daily life with a moment of pause before a wedding. The artist used shading to show fabric and skin, making everything feel textured. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this carved images into metal.
