Le tableau de la volupté, ou, Les quatre parties du jour : poeme en vers libres / par M.D.B

Art Historical Context

**Le tableau de la volupt, ou, Les quatre du jour** (1771) is a captivating example of 18th-century erotic literature, blending poetry and visual art in a single volume. Authored under the pseudonym M.D.B., this poem in free verse explores themes of pleasure, ingeniously structured around the four parts of the daymorning, noon, evening, and night. Produced on the eve of the French Revolution, it reflects the libertine spirit of the Rococo era, when such indulgent works circulated among elite circles, celebrating voluptuousness amid shifting social mores. The book features four leaves of finely etched and engraved illustrations, likely the work of renowned artist Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen, known for his delicate, evocative linework in erotic vignettes. Printer Pierre-Ulric Dubuisson and collaborator Joseph de Longueil contributed to its production, resulting in a compact yet luxurious volume measuring just 6 11/16 inches tall, with 68 pages of text. These techniques—etching for fluid lines and engraving for precise detail—highlight the technical prowess of French book arts, making intimate scenes both artistic and accessible. Acquired through the generous bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman in 2019, this rare treasure now resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Libraries. It offers visitors a window into the playful, provocative intersections of poetry, printmaking, and desire in pre-Revolutionary France, reminding us of art's enduring power to evoke the senses.

About the Artist

Pierre-Ulric Dubuisson|Joseph de Longueil|Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen ( |French|French) · 1746 |1730 |1720 –1794 |1792 |1778

|French, Givet, Ardennes 1730–1792 Paris|French, Valenciennes 1720–1778 Brussels