Jonge vrouw met hond en haan en hen 1732 - 1776

This is Gilles Demarteau’s etching, 'Young Woman with Dog, Rooster, and Hens'. Notice how the composition, with its soft lines and subtle gradations of color, creates a scene of pastoral harmony. The woman, rendered with graceful contours, is framed by a backdrop of delicate foliage, while the animals add a touch of rustic charm. The entire composition is based on balance and formal symmetry. See how the woman’s form is subtly echoed by the tree on the right, creating a visual rhythm that is reinforced by the placement of the dog and the rooster? The artwork's formal qualities destabilize traditional notions of ideal beauty. Instead, the artist draws our attention to the interplay between the artificial and the natural, suggesting a nuanced understanding of beauty. The artwork invites a continued re-evaluation of aesthetic conventions.