The Poet 1748 - 1758

"The Poet", an etching by Claude Augustin Duflos le Jeune, is a detailed and expressive depiction of a young poet inspired by the natural world. The scene is set in a lush, verdant forest with a young man, seated beneath a towering tree, engrossed in writing. He wears a laurel wreath, signifying his connection to the arts, as he thoughtfully composes. The figure's pose and expression capture the creative spirit and contemplative nature of a poet. The work was created in 1748-1758, a time when Neoclassical ideals were highly influential in European art. This etching provides a glimpse into the romanticized vision of poetic inspiration and the power of nature.