Hearing 1720 - 1770

Francois Boucher created this print called "Hearing," currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, using etching and engraving. The composition immediately draws the eye to the arrangement of figures and objects, balanced yet dynamic. Note the fine lines and detailed textures, achieved through the etching process, that give depth to the otherwise monochrome palette. Boucher plays with visual and cultural codes. The arrangement of musical instruments—the gong, stringed instrument, and the percussion mallets—combined with the figures, presumably musicians, signal the theme of "hearing." However, the piece destabilizes established meanings of cultural representation through its stylized depiction of Asian figures, reflecting the Rococo period's fascination with exoticism and Chinoiserie. This piece does not merely represent hearing; it performs a cultural fantasy. The linear precision and structured arrangement serve not just aesthetic purposes but also reflect a broader engagement with exoticism. As you consider this print, recognize how Boucher uses form to engage in a dialogue about cultural representation and aesthetic appropriation, a conversation that remains relevant today.