Artwork
Le midi
Le midi is an ink print by the Baroque artist Emmanuel Jean Nepomucène de Ghendt. It dates from 1776 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le midi is a 1776 print by Emmanuel Jean Nepomucène de Ghendt, executed in etching and engraving. The work depicts a serene outdoor scene with a central female figure.
Subject & Meaning
A woman, adorned with a fancy hat and prominent bow on her dress, lies on the ground, surrounded by foliage and a distant wall with a gate. Her state is ambiguous, appearing either asleep or deceased, inviting interpretation.
Technique & Style
The print showcases meticulous detail and textured realism, achieved through the combined techniques of etching and engraving, characteristic of Ghendt's craftsmanship.
History & Provenance
Created in 1776, specific details about the print's historical ownership and exhibitions are not provided in the available information.
Context
Le midi reflects the 18th-century artistic inclination towards nuanced, detailed outdoor settings, possibly influenced by the broader European engraving traditions of the time.
Legacy
While Ghendt's overall body of work may have contributed to the evolution of etching and engraving techniques, the lasting impact or notable influence of Le midi specifically is not highlighted in the given context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Emmanuel Jean Nepomucène de Ghendt
Emmanuel Jean Nepomucène de Ghendt (1738–1815) was an artist.
