Black African Removing Bottles From a Cooler
18th century
Medium
Etching; first state
Dimensions
Sheet: 12 13/16 x 18 7/8 in. (32.5 x 48 cm) Plate: 8 9/16 x 12 7/8 in. (21.8 x 32.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Georgiana W. Sargent, in memory of John Osborne Sargent, 1924
Accession Number
24.63.80
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming 18th-century etching titled *Black African Removing Bottles From a Cooler*, brings to life a moment of everyday service associated with two masters of French Rococo art: François Boucher and Antoineteau. Created as a print in its rare first state, the work measures a generous sheet size of 12 13/16 x 18 7/8 inches, with the plate at 8 9/16 x 12 7/8 inches. Etchings like this were prized for their intricate lines and tonal subtlety, allowing artists to capture delicate textures—from the cooler's weave to the glass bottles' gleam—making them accessible reproductions of original dra...
About the Artist
François Boucher|Antoine Watteau · 1703–1770
François Boucher (1703–1770) stands as the quintessential master of French Rococo painting and the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century. Born in Paris to a lace designer, Boucher created a visual language that perfectly embodied the refined taste, sensuality, and elegance of Louis XV's court. His prolific output—encompassing paintings, tapestry designs, theatrical sets, and decora...