Half Figure of a Woman Wearing a Cap, in Profile to Right

Art Historical Context

In the elegant world of 18th-century French draftsmanship, Augustin de Saint-Aubin's *Half Figure of a Woman a Cap, in Profile Right* (1770) captures the delicate charm of Rococo portraiture. Saint-Aubin, a prolific engraver and member of the renowned Saint-Aubin family of artists specialized in intimate studies of fashion, daily life, and the female form. This graphite drawing, heightened with white for luminous highlights, depicts a woman in strict profile, her cap evoking the refined headwear of the ancien régime, offering a glimpse into the poised femininity of pre-Revolutionary France. The technique exemplifies the period's mastery of mixed media: soft graphite builds subtle modeling and texture, while white accents create a glowing three-dimensionality against the paper's tone. Framing lines in pen and brown ink add a polished finish, suggesting this sheet was a finished work rather than a mere sketch—prized by collectors for its precision and immediacy. At just 6 5/16 x 4 7/8 inches, its intimate scale invites close contemplation, much like a whispered conversation from the salons of Louis XV's court. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1963, this drawing from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Prints and Drawings department highlights Saint-Aubin's role in preserving the ephemera of 18th-century style. It reminds us how such modest works bridged art and everyday elegance, influencing later fashion illustrations and portraiture.

About the Artist

Augustin de Saint-Aubin · 1736–1807

Comment on works: Illustrator; Engraver