Canards surpris

Art Historical Context

**Canards surpris (Surprised Ducks)** élix Bracquem, 1882 Etching with burin, Metropolitan Museum of Step into the whimsical world of Félix Bracond's *Canards surpris* (Surprised Ducks), a captivating etching from 1882 that captures a startling forest encounter. Here, ducks react in shock amid lush woodland surroundings, unexpectedly intersecting with graceful female nudes—a playful juxtaposition blending the natural and the human form. This 14¾ × 10½-inch plate, enhanced by precise burin work, showcases Bracquemond's mastery of line and texture in printmaking. A pioneer of the 19th-century etching revival in France, Bracquemond drew inspiration from Japanese prints and collaborated with Impressionists like Degas. His technique—etching acid-bitten lines refined by the burin burin—creates rich tonal depth and intricate details, elevating prints from mere reproductions to independent artworks. Gifted to the Met in 1923 by Theodore De Witt, this piece highlights the era's fascination with nature's surprises and the nude's classical allure. Bracquemond invites us to ponder the unexpected harmony in chaos, reminding visitors that art thrives on delightful disruptions. A true gem in the Drawings and Prints collection! (198 words)

About the Artist

Félix Bracquemond · 1833–1914

French, Paris 1833–1914 Sèvres