Artwork
Two Lovers Seated at the Foot of a Large Tree, Surprised by Two Girls
Two Lovers Seated at the Foot of a Large Tree, Surprised by Two Girls is a crayon print by the Baroque artist Gilles Demarteau the Elder. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1749, this crayon‑manner print titled *Two Lovers Seated at the Foot of a Large Tree, Surprised by Two Girls* is attributed to Gilles Demarteau the Elder. Executed in red‑brown tones, the work presents a quiet outdoor tableau that combines intimate human interaction with a subtly animated natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
At the composition’s centre, a couple sits beneath a mature tree, their gazes locked in quiet affection. The woman’s flowing dress and the man’s hat suggest a genteel class, while two young girls peeking from behind the trunk introduce an element of playful surprise, hinting at the social rituals of courtship and observation.
Technique & Style
The image is rendered in the crayon‑manner, a printmaking technique that imitates the texture of pastel drawing through layered, red‑brown strokes. This approach allows for soft gradations of tone and a gentle modeling of forms, giving the foliage and figures a delicate, almost tactile presence.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to Demarteau’s early output, produced shortly after his establishment as a leading French engraver and publisher. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work circulated among collectors of fashionable prints in the mid‑eighteenth century, reflecting contemporary tastes for romantic genre scenes.
Context
In the 1740s, French visual culture favored intimate genre images that blended sentimentality with decorative elegance. Demarteau’s print aligns with this trend, offering a narrative moment that could be displayed in domestic interiors as both a decorative object and a subtle commentary on romantic encounters.
Artist & collection
