In the Zoological Garden

Art Historical Context

Step into the serene world of Félix Bracond's *In the Zoological Garden (ca. 1873), a delicate etching capturing a leisurely moment amid birds, lush gardens, and elegant women. Bracquemond, a French printmaker and close associate of Impressionists like Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas, was a leader in the 19th-century etching revival. This first-state proof—before any revisions—offers a rare glimpse into his meticulous process, printed from a 6¾ × 6¾-inch copper plate on a larger sheet. Created during Paris's golden age of public gardens and zoos, such as the Jardin d'Acclimatation in the Bois de Boulogne, the scene evokes the era's fascination with nature and urban leisure. Women, often depicted as refined observers, stroll amid exotic birds, blending everyday elegance with the wonder of the animal kingdom. Etching's intaglio technique, where acid etches lines into metal for rich, tonal depth, allowed Bracquemond to achieve subtle textures in feathers, foliage, and fabrics—hallmarks of his realist precision. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this print exemplifies how 19th-century artists elevated printmaking to fine art, making sophisticated scenes accessible beyond paintings. A charming window into Belle Époque life, it invites us to linger in its tranquil beauty.

About the Artist

Félix Bracquemond · 1833–1914

French, Paris 1833–1914 Sèvres