The Old Cock

Art Historical Context

Félix Bracquemond’s 188 etching *The Old Cock* captures the weathered dignity of its subject with remarkable precision. As a leading figure in the nineteenth-century revival of etching as a fine art, Bracquemond used the medium’s ability to render delicate lines and rich textures to convey the rooster’s ruffled feathers and alert posture. The modest size—just over eleven inches high—invites close viewing, allowing visitors to appreciate the subtle tonal variations achieved through careful biting of the plate. Created during a period when many artists turned to everyday rural subjects, this print reflects a broader interest in naturalism and animal studies. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum’s Drawings and Prints collection, acquired through the Elisha Whittelsey Fund, underscores the enduring appeal of such works for both connoisseurs and general audiences. The simple tag “Roosters” hints at the timeless symbolism of the cock as a figure of vigilance and rural life, themes Bracquemond explored with quiet authority.

About the Artist

Félix Bracquemond · 1833–1914

French, Paris 1833–1914 Sèvres