Artwork

The Comte d'Artois and His Sister Mademoiselle Clotilde

The Comte d'Artois and His Sister Mademoiselle Clotilde, by Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet, ink, 1767
The Comte d'Artois and His Sister Mademoiselle Clotilde, by Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet, ink, 1767

The Comte d'Artois and His Sister Mademoiselle Clotilde is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Comte d'Artois and His Sister Mademoiselle Clotilde is an engraving created by Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet in 1767, depicting the Comte and his sister in a garden setting.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving portrays two young nobles, the Comte d'Artois (later Charles X of France) and his sister Mademoiselle Clotilde, in a serene garden. The boy, adorned with a floral lapel pin and accompanied by a small dog, sits alongside his sister, who wears a lace-trimmed dress and a floral crown. Their attire and surroundings reflect their aristocratic status.

Technique & Style

Beauvarlet employed fine-line engraving techniques to achieve detailed, soft textures, particularly in the subjects' clothing and the dog's fur. This level of intricacy showcases the capabilities of engraving in capturing nuanced visual elements before the advent of photography.

History & Provenance

Created in 1767, the engraving's provenance and exhibition history are not detailed here, though its creation date situates it within the artistic and social landscape of pre-Revolutionary France.

Context

This work reflects 18th-century European portrait practices, emphasizing the depiction of nobility in idyllic settings. The choice of subjects highlights the artistic demand for portrayals of royal and aristocratic figures during this period.

Legacy

While specific influences or notable exhibitions of this engraving are not provided, it contributes to the broader legacy of Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet's oeuvre and the historical record of 18th-century French engraving techniques.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.