Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, The Nurse, 1700s, Engraving

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The beautiful nursery

an 18th-century engraving of rare grace, titled the beautiful nourrice. The work portrays a young woman with … Read more The beautiful nursery

an 18th-century engraving of rare grace, titled the beautiful nourrice. The work portrays a young woman with pale skin, soft blond curls caressing her face, and blue eyes that meet the viewer's gaze with naturalness and sweetness. The intimate yet composed pose features a barely perceptible breast, a gesture that alludes to motherhood and femininity without ever being explicit. The light lines and muted colors convey a refined delicacy, typical of 18th-century sensibility.
enhanced by a stunning 19th-century empire gold-leaf frame and a hand-watercolorized sugar paper mat. Its impressive dimensions, 64 x 75 cm, make it a powerful work, capable of elegantly illuminating any space.

this etching is made using the aquatint and etching techniques, with the finest and most delicate coloring contemporary with the watercolor.

engraver: louis-jean allais was born in paris in 1762 and died there in 1833. He initially trained as a painter, but later devoted himself primarily to printmaking. He studied with allegrain between 1781 and 1785 and developed considerable skill in the techniques of stippling, etching, aquatint, and wash engraving.
he married angélique briceau, also an engraver, and from their union was born jean-alexandre allais, who followed in his father's footsteps.

based on a subject by élisabeth louise vigée le brun (paris, 1755 – 1842), she was one of the greatest painters of the eighteenth century. Born into an artistic family, she showed early talent and became famous as a portraitist of the european aristocracy. A friend and official painter of marie antoinette, she painted numerous iconic portraits. During the french revolution, she fled abroad and worked in italy, austria, and russia, achieving great success. Upon returning to france, she continued her career and entered the académie royale. Author of over 600 works and her mémoires, she is remembered for the grace and naturalness of her female portraits and self-portraits.

period: late 18th century

in a splendid 19th-century empire gold-leaf frame with corner decorations.

dimensions: 64 x 75 cm

as always, the print is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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