La Noblesse Française à l’église (The French Nobility at Church) c. 1628 - 1629
abrahambosse
pencil drawn
aged paper
light pencil work
parchment
pencil sketch
old engraving style
pencil drawing
ink drawing experimentation
pen-ink sketch
pencil work
Abraham Bosse's etching, "La Noblesse Française à l’église" (The French Nobility at Church), offers a satirical glimpse into 17th century French society. The etching depicts a nobleman kneeling in prayer, but his posture is exaggerated, suggesting an insincere devotion. The elaborate clothing and the ornate setting of the church further emphasize the gap between outward appearances and genuine piety, a theme that resonated with the broader audience of the time. The work's stylistic features, including the use of hatching and cross-hatching, convey a sense of depth and detail, highlighting Bosse's mastery of the etching technique.
Comments
Bosse portrayed the Gothic churches of Paris as sites of piety and fashionability. While praying or merely strutting through the centuries-old architecture, the churchgoers in these prints sport the latest styles. For example, in the few years since Callot’s series (adjacent), an ornate and expensive form of lace cutwork – reticella – had become a popular form of decoration for collars and cuffs.
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