Secret derobé à un ami (Secret Stolen from a Friend)

Executed by etching, the artist incised lines into a copper plate, producing delicate tonal variations and fine details that translate into the printed image. The use of laid paper provides a textured surface that enhances the contrast between the figure’s crisp outlines and the softer interior scene of the globe. The composition balances a theatrical pose with intricate narrative elements typical of Rococo printmaking.

The print was produced in the mid‑1760s, a period when Lalive de Jully was active in Paris, publishing a range of satirical and allegorical prints. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, though earlier ownership records are limited. The mounting in a nineteenth‑century paper frame reflects later conservation practices.

During the Enlightenment, prints often served as vehicles for social commentary, using mythological or allegorical figures to critique manners and private conduct. The globe motif alludes to the expanding geographic knowledge of the era, while the act of a woman balancing on it may symbolize the precariousness of reputation when secrets are disclosed.

Although not widely reproduced, the work illustrates Lalive de Jully’s skill in merging narrative wit with technical finesse. It remains a valuable example of mid‑eighteenth‑century French print culture, offering insight into the visual strategies used to convey moral and social messages through allegory.