Grisélidis, plate 10 from "The Decameron"

Art Historical Context

This etching, created by Belgian printmaker Léopold Flameng in 1873, captures a scene from Giovanni Boccaccio’s celebrated 14th-century collection *The Decameron*. Titled *Grisélidis*, it illustrates the tale of Griselda, the final story in the book, which explores themes of patience, virtue, and marital fidelity. As plate 10 in a series of illustrations, the work reflects the 19th-century fascination with Renaissance literature, bringing Boccaccio’s vivid narratives to new audiences through fine art prints. Flameng’s chosen medium—an etching produced as a “proof before letter,” meaning an early impression without added text—highlights the technical precision and tonal subtlety possible in this printmaking process. Etchings allowed artists to reproduce delicate line work and atmospheric effects, making them ideal for literary editions during the Victorian era. Measuring just over eight by seven inches, the intimate scale invites close viewing, emphasizing the quiet drama of the scene. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, this piece exemplifies how 19th-century artists bridged medieval storytelling with modern reproductive techniques, preserving cultural heritage while showcasing refined craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Léopold Flameng|Giovanni Boccaccio · 1831–1911

Léopold Flameng (1831–1911) was one of the most accomplished and influential French engravers of the 19th century, whose exceptional technical mastery and artistic sensitivity made him the preeminent interpreter of paintings by old and modern masters through the medium of engraving. Born in Brussels on November 22, 1831, to French parents, and dying at Courgent, near Paris, on September 5, 1911, F...