Who painted Title Page?

Title Page was painted by Nicolas Cochin in 1645.

Where can I see Title Page?

Title Page is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Title Page?

Title Page is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Title Page

Nicolas Cochin , 1645

Title Page 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.

About this work

Overview

Nicolas Cochin’s 1645 etching, titled *Title Page*, functions as an ornamental frontispiece. The composition is framed by an elaborate border of foliage and blossoms, crowned by a stylised face. Within the central panel a garden unfolds, populated by strolling figures, a distant fountain, and a foreground scene of a man with a dog accompanied by a couple walking together.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents an idealised pastoral setting that was popular in 17th‑century book design, suggesting leisure and cultivated taste. The inclusion of a dog and the paired figures may allude to companionship and social interaction, while the decorative border reinforces the notion of a cultivated, cultured environment appropriate for a printed title page.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine line etching, Cochin achieves intricate detail through delicate cross‑hatching and varied line weight. The ornamental border demonstrates the Baroque taste for elaborate, flowing motifs, while the garden scene is rendered with a balanced mix of naturalistic foliage and stylised figures, reflecting the artist’s command of both decorative and narrative elements.

History & Provenance

Created in 1645, the print was likely intended for inclusion in a printed volume, serving as its introductory illustration. As a work by Cochin, a noted French engraver of the mid‑Baroque period, it exemplifies his prolific output for book publishers. Surviving copies are held in several European print collections, documenting its circulation among early modern bibliophiles.