Artwork
Marchez tout doux, parlez tout bas
Marchez tout doux, parlez tout bas is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Pierre-Philippe Choffard. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The artist used sharp lines to create drama—notice how the woman’s gesture and the man’s shadowy face make the scene feel tense.
This engraving shows a woman in a low-cut dress standing in a dim, cluttered room. She’s reaching out toward a man who’s leaning in through an open window, holding a hat. A pile of clothes lies on the floor, and another person is slumped on the bed in the background.
The artist used sharp lines to create drama—notice how the woman’s gesture and the man’s shadowy face make the scene feel tense. This was made in 1782, and the title means *"Walk softly, speak quietly."*
Look up etching to see how artists like this carved images into metal plates.
Overview
Marchez tout doux, parlez tout bas is a print created by Pierre-Philippe Choffard in 1782, combining engraving and etching techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a clandestine scene: a woman in a low-cut dress reaches out to a man entering through a window, while another figure lies on the bed in the background. The title 'Walk softly, speak quietly' suggests a secretive or illicit encounter.
Technique & Style
Choffard employed sharp lines and contrasting light to create a dramatic, tense atmosphere. The use of engraving and etching allowed for detailed rendering of textures and expressions, contributing to the overall sense of intrigue.
Artist & collection
