Francois Boucher

Art Historical Context

This etching, titled "Francois Boucher," was created by Laurent Cars after a design by Charles-Nicolas Cochin I between 1651 and 1700. Measuring just 19.1 by 14.3 centimeters, the small print exemplifies the intimate scale often favored in portraiture of the period. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the generous gift of Regina Slatkin, it serves as a fine example of reproductive printmaking that helped share images of notable figures across Europe. Etching, the technique employed here, allowed artists to achieve delicate lines and subtle tonal effects by using acid ...