A Woman Peeling Pears

Wallerant Vaillant

mid-17th century · Mezzotint; second state of two · Drawings and Prints

Vaillant learned the mezzotint technique from Prince Rupert of the Rhine, whom he met and assisted during a visit to Frankfurt am Main in 1658. Active in Amsterdam and Paris, Vaillant became the first professional mezzotint-engraver, whose works achieved success throughout Europe. Here, he presents a domestic scene of his own design, showing a woman (presumably a servant) peeling fruit. As this richly toned plate reveals, Vaillant's mezzotint grounds appear more evenly textured than those of his predecessors.

Artist

Wallerant Vaillant

Date

mid-17th century

Medium

Mezzotint; second state of two

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha whittelsey Fund, 1956