The Dictation

Pierre Lelu

Associated Names
Pierre Lelu

Artist, French, 1741 - 1810

The image shows two individuals, a woman and a man, depicted from head to knee, seated close to each other. The woman sits on the left, slightly turned towards the man, with her head resting on her hand as she gazes downward. Her facial features are softly defined and she wears a headscarf that partially covers her long hair. She is dressed in a long gown with voluminous sleeves. The man, seated on the right, leans towards a table while writing with a quill on a sheet of paper. His face, seen in profile, exhibits sharp features framed by wavy hair and an elaborate hat adorned with large feathers. His attire is loose-fitting, with a cloak or coat that falls around him in gentle folds. The table between them holds an ink pot. The background is simple, with a textured appearance.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and aquatint printed in brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 28 × 21.2 cm (11 × 8 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 31.2 × 22.9 cm (12 5/16 × 9 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.91.44

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Baudicour no.32, State ii/ii


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(James A. Bergquist, Newton Centre, MA); purchased 2018 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1859

  • Baudicour, Prosper de. Le peintre-graveur français continue, ou catalogue raisonné des estampes gravees par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'ecole française nes dans le XVIIIe siècle. 2 vols. Paris, 1859-1861; no. 32, ii/ii

1930

  • Baudicour, Prosper de. Le peintre-graveur français continue, ou catalogue raisonné des estampes gravees par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'ecole française nes dans le XVIIIe siècle. 2 vols. Paris, 1859-1861: no. 47, ii/ii

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: LELU (v) / P. de B. 32 (2e etat, rare); by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 46/47

Watermarks

undeciphered fragment


You may be interested in

Loading Results