Artwork
Flore a son lever
Flore a son lever is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pierre Maleuvre. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Flore à son lever is a black‑and‑white print executed as an engraving in 1772 by the French artist Pierre Maleuvre. The work presents a solitary female figure, rendered in delicate line work that emphasizes the play of light across her draped attire and the floral bouquet she holds.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a young woman at the moment of sunrise, suggested by the title’s reference to ‘Flore’—the Roman goddess of flowers—who is poised with a bunch of blossoms in her left hand. The serene pose and the gentle upward gaze evoke themes of renewal and the gentle emergence of nature.
Technique & Style
Maleuvre employs fine, closely spaced lines to model the soft folds of the garment and the texture of the flowers, creating a subtle chiaroscuro effect typical of late Baroque printmaking. Cross‑hatching and stippling generate depth, while the crisp outline of the decorative hair bow adds a decorative contrast.
History & Provenance
Created in the latter half of the eighteenth century, the engraving reflects the period’s interest in classical allegory and the technical virtuosity of French printmakers. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among Maleuvre’s oeuvre and appears in several nineteenth‑century collections of French engravings.
Artist & collection
