Plate 9: The Pulley: a man and a woman conversing to right, a lantern hung on a post to left, from "Les soirées de Rome" 1763 - 1764

This etching, "Plate 9: The Pulley," is one of a series of plates titled "Les Soirées de Rome," created by Hubert Robert between 1763 and 1764. Robert, a French painter and draftsman known for his depictions of Roman ruins and picturesque landscapes, captures a casual encounter between two figures against the backdrop of a simple pulley system and a rustic setting. The scene is rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow, and creating a sense of tranquility and quiet observation, characteristics of Robert's artistic style.