The Drummer

Art Historical Context

**The Drummer**, an etching from the mid-17th century (circa 1620–1667), showcases the collaborative talents of French printmakers Michel Lasne and Abraham Bosse, with publication by Pierre Mariette. This intimate print, measuring just 7 3/8 × 5 1/16 inches on a trimmed sheet, captures a male musician intently playing a drum. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department—acquired in 1959 through The Elisha Whittelsey Fund—it exemplifies the vibrant world of 17th-century European printmaking, where etchings democratized art for a wider audience beyond oil paintings. Etching, the medium here, allowed artists like Bosse—a master of the technique known for detailed social scenes—to achieve delicate lines and rich tonal contrasts using acid on a metal plate. Drummers held cultural significance in Baroque-era France, evoking military parades, folk celebrations, or street performers, reflecting everyday life amid the era's artistic shift toward realism and genre subjects. This work highlights printmakers' skill in portraying motion and texture, from the drum's taut skin to the musician's focused expression. Visitors will appreciate its compact scale and lively energy, a window into historical musicianship. Next time you're in the Prints gallery, seek out this gem for its technical finesse and glimpse of 17th-century rhythm!

About the Artist

Michel Lasne|Abraham Bosse|Pierre Mariette · 1590–1667

Michel Lasne (ca. 1590–1667) was a French engraver, draughtsman, and collector who became one of the most prolific printmakers of the French Baroque period. Born in Caen around 1590, Lasne was the son of a goldsmith, which provided him with early exposure to metalworking techniques essential for engraving. His career spanned the reigns of Louis XIII and the early years of Louis XIV, during which h...