The Two Sisters by Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non
This charming portrait, "The Two Sisters" by Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non, painted in 1770 and held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, shows two young girls in elaborate Rococo fashion. While a lovely painting, it's particularly interesting because of the artist's primary fame.
Saint-Non, often known as the 'Abbé de Saint-Non', was not primarily celebrated for his paintings. Look at the intricate details of their dresses, the delicate lace, and their carefully styled hair. These elements showcase his skill as a painter.
However, Saint-Non's lasting legacy comes from his groundbreaking work in printmaking. He was a pioneer in developing the aquatint technique, a method that revolutionized how artists could create prints with tonal variations, similar to watercolor washes. His contributions to printmaking were more significant to art history than his painted portraits.
It makes you wonder, how many artists had a secret passion that overshadowed their public persona?
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These two sisters were painted in 1770. Their painter was known as the 'Abbé de Saint-Non'. He was intended for the church, but never took major orders. Look closely at the delicate lace collar. The artist was a pioneer of the aquatint technique in printmaking. He was more famous for prints than paintings.