Artwork
Il appliqua sur cette main un baiser que je sentis sur mon coeur
Il appliqua sur cette main un baiser que je sentis sur mon coeur is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Nicolas Delaunay. It dates from 1777 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1777, this black‑and‑white print by Nicolas Delaunay combines engraving and etching techniques. The composition presents an intimate interior scene populated by two elegantly dressed women and a child, rendered with precise line work that emphasizes texture and gesture.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure holds a sheet of music while the second woman leans over a small harpsichord, actively playing. A child sits nearby, reaching toward the instrument, suggesting a domestic setting where music and familial interaction intertwine. The title alludes to an emotional exchange, likening a kiss placed on the hand to a feeling that touches the heart.
Technique & Style
Delaunay employs fine, incised lines characteristic of metal‑plate engraving, allowing detailed rendering of fabrics and delicate postures. The use of both engraving and etching creates a range of tonal values, from crisp outlines to subtle shading, typical of late‑18th‑century French printmaking.
History & Provenance
The work was produced in 1777, during the latter part of Delaunay’s career. It reflects the artist’s engagement with genre scenes that depict everyday elegance. No further ownership records are presently documented, but the print aligns with the period’s market for collectible domestic images.
Artist & collection
