Country Ballet (Ballet Champêtre), from Essai de Papilloneries Humaines par Saint Aubin
ca. 1756–60
Medium
Etching; first state of two
Dimensions
plate: 12 15/16 x 9 1/4 in. (32.8 x 23.5 cm) sheet: 15 3/8 x 10 1/2 in. (39 x 26.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund and Rogers Fund, 1982
Accession Number
1982.1101.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the mid-18th century, the lavish Rococo era in France, Charles Germain Saint-Aubin crafted *Country Ballet (Balletêtre)* as part of his whimsical series *Essai deilloneries Humaines par Saint Aubin* ( on Human Butterflies). etching, from the first state of two around 1756–60, captures the playful spirit of rural festivities through delicate lines on a generous plate measuring nearly 13 x 9 inches. Saint-Aubin, a prolific engraver from the talented Saint-Aubin family, specialized in satirical and lighthearted prints that poked fun at society's frivolities, blending fine art with social comme...