Le Perruquier fatigué (The Tired Wigmaker)

Art Historical Context

In the late 18th century, David, a skilled Italian engraver from Genoa, the whimsical exhaustion of everyday life in *Le Perruquier fatigu (The Tired Wigm)*, an etching from 5. This intimate print, measuring just 24.1 x 16.7 cm on the plate, depicts a weary artisan slumped in his trade—a nod to the booming wig-making industry that defined European fashion during the Rococo era. Powdered wigs, symbols of status and frivolity among the aristocracy, required meticulous craftsmanship, and David's scene likely offers a humorous, empathetic glimpse into the labor behind such extravagance. Etching on laid paper was a masterful choice for David, allowing fine lines and tonal depth through acid-bitten grooves on a copper plate. The visible chain lines of the laid paper add authenticity, as this handmade stock was prized for high-quality prints that could be widely distributed. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's collection through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, this work exemplifies the period's blend of technical precision and light satire, bridging art and social commentary for collectors and the curious public alike.

About the Artist

Giovanni David · 1749–1790

Giovanni David (1743–1790) was a Genoese painter and etcher whose brief career, shaped by distinguished patronage and wide-ranging travel, produced a body of work remarkable for its experimental verve. Born in Genoa, he came under the protection of Count Giacomo Durazzo, a cultivated Genoese nobleman and diplomat who became the defining figure of his artistic life. Durazzo sponsored David's traini...