Artwork
Flower Print no.7
Flower Print no.7 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. 7 is an etching executed by the French artist Nicolas Cochin in 1645. The work presents a composition of six oversized blossoms rendered in bold, black outlines against a pale field, topped by a narrow vignette of figures engaged in everyday activity near water.
Subject & Meaning
The dominant floral elements dominate the picture plane, each flower rendered with thick petals, leaves and budding buds, suggesting a study of natural forms. Beneath the blossoms, a modest scene shows people in period attire walking, conversing and attending to small animals, hinting at a juxtaposition of cultivated beauty and quotidian life.
Technique & Style
Cochin employed the traditional etching process: a metal plate was coated with a waxy ground, incised with a needle to produce the design, then immersed in acid which ate away the exposed lines. The resulting sharp, linear quality and the contrast between dense floral detail and the simplified lower figures exemplify the artist’s precise handling of line.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the print reflects Cochin’s interest in both decorative motifs and genre scenes. While specific ownership records for this particular impression are scarce, it forms part of Cochin’s broader output of prints that circulated among collectors and connoisseurs of the period, contributing to his reputation as a versatile draughtsman.
Artist & collection
