Contadina, from Recueil de diverses fig.res étrangeres Inventées par F. Boucher P.tre du Roy et Gravées par F. Ravenet (Collection of Various Foreign Figures, Devised by F. Boucher, Painter of the King and Engraved [etched] by F. Ravenet), plate 11

Art Historical Context

This elegant etching and engraving, titled *Contadina*, forms plate 11 in the *Recueil de diverses figures étrangères*, a series of “foreign figures” by François Boucher, premier painter to King Louis XV, and etched by Simon-François Ravenet. Created in the mid-18th century, the print depicts a young Italian peasant woman, reflecting the period’s fascination with picturesque rural types from across Europe. Boucher’s light-hearted Rococo sensibility transforms the figure into an idealized vision of graceful simplicity, dressed in softly draped clothing that echoes the decorative elegance of French court taste. The collaborative nature of the work highlights the vibrant print culture of the era. While Boucher supplied the inventive designs, skilled engravers such as Ravenet translated them into reproducible images, and publishers like Gabriel Huquier disseminated them widely. Measuring just over ten inches tall, the sheet was intended for collectors’ albums and decorative use, allowing a broader audience to enjoy Boucher’s charming figures without owning an original painting. Today in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, *Contadina* offers a delightful glimpse into 18th-century cross-cultural curiosity and the technical artistry of etching and engraving, techniques prized for their crisp lines and subtle tonal effects.

About the Artist

François Boucher|Gabriel Huquier|Gabriel Huquier · 1703–1770

François Boucher (1703–1770) stands as the quintessential master of French Rococo painting and the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century. Born in Paris to a lace designer, Boucher created a visual language that perfectly embodied the refined taste, sensuality, and elegance of Louis XV's court. His prolific output—encompassing paintings, tapestry designs, theatrical sets, and decora...