Artwork
Flower Print no.11
Flower Print no.11 is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nicolas Cochin. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Flower Print No.
About this work
Overview
Flower Print No. 11 is an etching executed by the French artist Nicolas Cochin in 1645. The work presents a modest arrangement of floral motifs rendered in the fine lines characteristic of the medium, offering a clear example of mid‑17th‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition consists solely of stylized flowers, arranged without a narrative context. The focus on botanical form reflects the period’s interest in natural observation and decorative design, inviting viewers to appreciate the delicate structure of the blossoms.
Technique & Style
Cochin employed the traditional etching process: a metal plate was coated with a resist, incised with a needle to create the floral outlines, then immersed in acid to bite the lines. After cleaning, the plate was inked and wiped, leaving ink only in the incised areas, which transferred onto paper as crisp, precise lines.
History & Provenance
Created in 1645, the print belongs to Cochin’s broader output of graphic works produced during his tenure in Paris. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are limited, it is documented among the artist’s surviving prints held in several European collections.
Artist & collection
