Who painted Mlle. Salle?

Mlle. Salle was painted by Nicolas de Larmessin IV in 1732.

Where can I see Mlle. Salle?

Mlle. Salle is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Mlle. Salle?

Mlle. Salle is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Mlle. Salle

Nicolas de Larmessin IV , 1732

Mlle. Salle is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nicolas de Larmessin IV. It dates from 1732 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1732, the print titled *Mlle.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1732, the print titled *Mlle. Salle* is an engraving and etching executed by the French artist Nicolas de Larmessin IV. The work presents a lively outdoor scene in which a central female figure, dressed in an opulent, ruffled costume, is shown dancing while surrounded by a small ensemble of musicians.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a young woman whose elaborate attire emphasizes the celebratory mood of the gathering. Flanking her are two female musicians, two boys, and a girl with a harp, all engaged in making music. The setting—a garden with trees and a distant building—suggests a private, perhaps aristocratic, leisure event.

Technique & Style

Larmessin combines traditional engraving with etching, allowing for both precise line work and softer tonal areas. The print’s surface is smooth yet richly detailed, with fine hatching that renders the folds of the dress and the textures of the foliage, demonstrating the artist’s skill in manipulating the copper plate to achieve depth and movement.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to the early eighteenth century, a period when French printmakers frequently produced genre scenes for the decorative market. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is catalogued among Larmessin’s known output and is held in several European print collections.

Context

*Mlle. Salle* reflects the Rococo fascination with elegance, music, and pastoral leisure that dominated French visual culture in the 1730s. The emphasis on fashionable dress and informal entertainment aligns with contemporary tastes for scenes that combined refinement with a sense of spontaneity.