Drie boeren

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso midden rechts, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Drie boeren** is a delicate etching by François Boucher the celebrated French Rococo artist (1703–1770), created sometime between 1727 and1755. Measuring just 112 mm high by 70 mm wide, this print captures three peasants—a subject that contrasts with Bouch more famous mythological and pastoral extravaganzas for the French court As a master of theoco style, Boucher infused his works with playful elegance, fluid lines, and a sense of lighthearted charm, even in everyday scenes like this one. Etching, Boucher's favored printmaking technique, involved drawing into a wax ground on a copper plate with acid biting the lines to create rich, tonal depth. This allowed for affordable dissemination of his artistry beyond elite patrons, making high-style Rococo accessible to collectors. The small scale invites close viewing, revealing the precision of his burin work and subtle shading that brings the figures to life. On the verso, a collector's mark stamped mid-right (Lugt 2228) hints at its esteemed provenance, linking it to generations of art enthusiasts. Though modest in theme, *Drie boeren* exemplifies Boucher's versatility, bridging aristocratic refinement with rustic simplicity in the vibrant cultural milieu of 18th-century France.

About the Artist

François Boucher · 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...