J'ai tort, mon cher Valère, et t'en demande excuse

Art Historical Context

This etching and engraving, titled *J'ai tort, mon cher Valère, et t'en demande excuse*, was created in 1782 by Jean Jacques Le Veau after a design by Jean-Michel Moreau. The French title translates to “I am wrong, my dear Valère, and I ask your forgiveness,” suggesting a scene of apology or reconciliation drawn from 18th-century literature or theater. Produced during the final years of the Ancien Régime, the print reflects the period’s lively culture of book illustration and the growing popularity of reproductive prints that brought refined imagery into private homes. Le Veau’s skilled use o...