The Concert
Medium
Etching; before first state of three (Bocher)
Dimensions
Sheet: 13 3/8 × 17 5/16 in. (33.9 × 43.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Samuel D. Lee Fund, 1940
Accession Number
40.34.2
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created in 1774 by French printmakers Augustin de Saint-Aubin and Antoine Jean Duclos, *The Concert* captures a lively musical gathering through the delicate art of etching. This collaborative print reflects the vibrant social culture of 18th-century France, where music performances brought together diverse groups in elegant settings. As an early impression before the first state of three, it showcases the fine lines and tonal subtleties that etching allows, making such scenes widely accessible beyond the original drawing or painting. Etching was a favored medium during this period for its ability to reproduce intricate details and reach a growing audience of art enthusiasts. The work highlights the era’s fascination with human interaction and performance, themes that resonated in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this piece offers a window into the refined yet communal spirit of Enlightenment-era entertainment.
About the Artist
Augustin de Saint-Aubin|Antoine Jean Duclos · 1736–1807
Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver