Artwork

Party with Six Ladies and the Artist

Party with Six Ladies and the Artist, by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, ink, 1758
Party with Six Ladies and the Artist, by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, ink, 1758

Party with Six Ladies and the Artist is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. It dates from 1758 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Party with Six Ladies and the Artist is a 1758 etching on laid paper by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, combining etching with sulfur tint. The work captures a serene social gathering of six elegantly dressed ladies and the artist himself.

Subject & Meaning

The scene focuses on the quiet, intimate interactions among the six ladies, each engaged in gentle activities such as reading or leisurely conversation. The artist's self-inclusion in the corner observes the gathering with a sense of humility.

Technique & Style

Chodowiecki utilized etching with sulfur tint on laid paper, characterized by expressive, scratchy lines that convey a sense of spontaneity. The dark, dynamic lines contrast with the softer, suggested textures of the ladies' elaborate clothing.

History & Provenance

Created in 1758, the etching reflects Chodowiecki's established career as a prominent German printmaker in Berlin, where he later became director of the Berlin Academy of Art.

Context

The work embodies the social and artistic milieu of 18th-century Berlin, highlighting the Huguenot and Polish influences in Chodowiecki's life and the broader cultural exchange of the time.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not highlighted, it contributes to Chodowiecki's broader reputation as a prolific and influential printmaker of his era, reflecting his ability to capture nuanced social moments.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki

Artist

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki

Daniel Niklaus Chodowiecki (16 October 1726 – 7 February 1801) was a German painter and printmaker of Huguenot and Polish ancestry, who is most famous as an etcher.

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