Artwork
Young Woman on the Terrace (La jeune femme a la terrasse)
Young Woman on the Terrace (La jeune femme a la terrasse) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin’s etching titled *Young Woman on the Terrace* (La jeune femme à la terrasse) dates from around 1750.
About this work
Overview
Gabriel de Saint‑Aubin’s etching titled *Young Woman on the Terrace* (La jeune femme à la terrasse) dates from around 1750. Executed on laid paper, the work measures a modest size typical of 18th‑century prints and bears the artist’s inscription “de Saint Aubin invent. et sculpsit,” indicating he both conceived the design and cut the plate.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a solitary female figure seated on an open terrace. She is draped in a loosely hanging robe, a hat shading part of her hair, and holds a handheld fan. The surrounding space is suggested by vague, textured forms that may represent distant trees or architectural elements, creating a sense of quiet leisure.
Technique & Style
Saint‑Aubin employs delicate, intersecting lines to model the folds of fabric and the play of light across the scene. The etching’s surface retains a sketch‑like quality, with fine cross‑hatching that builds tonal depth while preserving a spontaneous, airy atmosphere. The artist’s hand is evident in the subtle variations of line weight.
Context
Produced in the mid‑18th century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with everyday genre scenes and the burgeoning market for affordable artworks. Etching on laid paper allowed for relatively quick reproduction, making such images accessible to a growing middle‑class audience interested in fashionable domestic subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was a French draftsman, printmaker, etcher and painter.
