Artwork
Voilà la règle de la nature, pourquoi la contrariez-vous?
Voilà la règle de la nature, pourquoi la contrariez-vous? is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste Blaise Simonet. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Voilà la règle de la nature, pourquoi la contrariez-vous? is an etching and engraving print created by Jean-Baptiste Blaise Simonet in 1778, depicting a domestic scene with a family of five in a cozy, furnished room.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a couple engaged in a serious conversation at a table, while their three children play or sit nearby, oblivious to the adults' discussion. The scene may allude to the balance between adhering to natural instincts ('la règle de la nature') and the constraints of societal or familial rules.
Technique & Style
Simonet employed etching and engraving techniques to create the work, characteristic of 18th-century printmaking. The style emphasizes everyday life, suggesting a focus on realism and the mundane aspects of family life.
History & Provenance
Created in 1778 by Jean-Baptiste Blaise Simonet, specific details about the work's provenance and historical context beyond its creation are not provided.
Context
The piece reflects the late 18th-century interest in depicting domesticity and the private lives of families, often with subtle undertones of moral or philosophical reflection.
Artist & collection
