Artwork
The Old Cock
The Old Cock is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Félix Bracquemond. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1882, *The Old Cock* is an etching on wove paper rendered in a uniform brown tone. French artist Félix Henri Bracquemond, active as a painter, etcher and printmaker, produced the work during a period when he was instrumental in reviving the medium of printmaking in France.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a solitary rooster poised amid tall grass, its plumage rendered with intricate line work that distinguishes light and shadow. The bird’s tail fans outward and its head is turned slightly, suggesting a moment of quiet vigilance within a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Bracquemond employed traditional copper-plate etching, incising the design with fine needles before applying ink and pressing the plate onto paper. The resulting lines are exact yet retain a soft, textured quality, characteristic of his approach that balances precise draftsmanship with atmospheric nuance.
Context
At the time of this print, Bracquemond was a leading figure in the resurgence of French printmaking and an early conduit for Japonisme, influencing peers such as Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. His marriage to Impressionist painter Marie Bracquemond linked him to the broader avant‑garde circles of the late 19th century.
History & Provenance
The work remains documented as a single edition printed in brown on wove paper. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece is recognized within collections that focus on 19th‑century French prints and the revival of etching as an artistic medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Henri Bracquemond (French pronunciation: ; 22 May 1833 – 29 October 1914) was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker.
