The Egg Merchant
1741–63
Medium
Etching and engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 8 7/8 x 5 7/8 in. (22.6 x 14.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.600.1055
Tags
Art Historical Context
"The Egg Merchant" captures a charming moment from 18th-century French through the delicate art of printmaking. Created between 1741 and 1763, this etching and engraving is associated with François Boucher, a leading figure of the Rococo movement known for his graceful, lighthearted scenes. The work likely reproduces one of his designs, translated into print by engraver John Ingram, allowing wider audiences to enjoy the artist’s vision of everyday subjects rendered with elegance and warmth. Etching and engraving techniques were especially significant during this period, as they enabled artist...