511 - J. PUNT (1711–1779), *The Drinker and His Wife*, 1760, etching

J. PUNT (1711–1779), *The Drinker and His Wife*, 1760, etching Jan Punt (1711–1779): The Drunkard and His Wife (L'Yvrogne et sa femme), a genre scene depicting a seated man and a woman approaching him, 1760, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print with crisp lines and well-balanced black tones. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “J. Punt del. et sculps.” At the lower part, inscribed in the printing plate: “L’YVROGNE ET SA FEMME. Fable XLIX.” Date: 1760 Description: In a stone interior with a barrel-vaulted opening, a man sits on a bench, looking exhausted or dazed. A woman wearing a bonnet and a long dress approaches him from the right, holding out a bowl or basin to him, while her other hand touches his face. On the left, a lamp hangs from the arch; in the foreground, a large cloth lies draped over a piece of furniture. The scene is rendered using dense cross-hatching, with strong chiaroscuro between the bright opening on the left and the darker interior. The lines of sight focus on the couple’s interaction, suggesting a moralizing genre scene. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Interior; Couple; Man; Woman; Drunkenness; Genre scene; Stone room; Arched opening; Lamp; Bench; Bowl; Bonnet; Rococo clothing; Moral scene; Etching; Cross-hatching; Everyday life; Domestic scene; Fable; French text; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.4 cm x 12.8 cm (7.6 x 5 in), Image: 13.2 cm x 8.3 cm (5.2 x 3.3 in) Condition: Good condition. Overall, in good condition for its age and well preserved. Puncture marks from an old binding are visible along the side of the page; there is a slight tear at the top. The corners of the sheets are slightly bumped. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint water stains are visible. There is a short tear in the top right-hand corner.