Artwork
L'Ecureuse
L'Ecureuse is an ink print by the Baroque artist Charles-Nicolas Cochin I. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
L'Ecureuse, an etching and engraving on laid paper executed by Charles‑Nicolas Cochin I in 1740, presents a single figure in an intimate domestic setting. The print captures a moment of personal grooming, rendered with the delicate line work characteristic of eighteenth‑century French printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a woman seated before a mirror, gently combing her hair. Her composed demeanor and soft expression suggest a private, contemplative pause, inviting viewers to consider themes of self‑care and the quiet rituals of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Cochin employs the combined processes of etching and engraving to achieve a range of line qualities, from fine, atmospheric strokes to more pronounced hatching that defines texture in the dress and furnishings. The use of laid paper adds a subtle tonal variation, enhancing the work’s nuanced surface.
History & Provenance
Created in 1740, L'Ecureuse belongs to Cochin’s mature period, when he was active as a court artist and illustrator. The print has been documented in several nineteenth‑century collections, reflecting its circulation among connoisseurs of French graphic art.
Artist & collection
