print
- Museum number
- 1891,0511.93
- Title
- Object: La bergère des Alpes
- Description
-
Rustic interior, with, on the left, Adelaide entering the room accompanied by a sheep; she is greeted by the Marquise de Fonrose and her husband who are seated at right; the Marquise grabs her husband's arm whilst pointing at the young shepherdess; Adelaide's parents, who are standing in the middle of the composition, are watching their visitors; the father is making a gesture of gratitude; scene from Marmontel's 'La Bergère des Alpes'; coat of arms in lower margin; finished proof, with letter. 1774/86
Etching and engraving
- Production date
- 1774-1786
- Dimensions
-
Height: 405 millimetres (trimmed)
-
Width: 468 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The scene is taken from Marmontel's 'La Bergère des Alpes', published as part of his 'Contes Moraux', 1755; in this story, the Marquise de Fonrose and her husband meet Adelaide, a shepherdess, during a travel through the Alps. They are impressed by her natural grace and nobility, and later their son, eager to meet the young woman his parents told him about, leaves home in order to live as a shepherd and win Adelaide's heart. It is revealed that Adelaide comes from a wealthy family and married an officer, who killed himself when she prevented him from taking part in an important battle. The young Fondrose and Adelaide eventually get married.
The plate was executed when d'Angiviller was in charge as Directeur des Bâtiments du Roi (1774-89).
For impression before dedication, title and publication address: 1878,0713.1222
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated titles
Associated Title: La Bergère des Alpes
- Acquisition date
- 1891
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1891,0511.93
