Nicolas Lancret, The Game of Hide and Seek, Engraving, 1750

This wonderful engraving belongs to a set of three engravings representing children's games. This series dates from the 18th century. It consists of the game of hide and seek, the game of the four corners and the game of the ox leg.

The scene depicted here is immersed in an abundance of nature. In the centre is a young girl walking away with her eyes poorly concealed. A young man is also walking away in the opposite direction, holding a handkerchief in his left hand. Behind them, seven other girls are sitting down and seem to be paying no attention to the two young men in the foreground. In the background is a bust resting on a pillar, all decorated with roses.

This scene is taken from a painting by Nicolas Lancret, an 18th century French painter. This man brilliantly depicts the spirit of light comedy characterising the taste and mores of French society during the Regency. He was trained in drawing and engraving. But he eventually gave up engraving to devote himself to painting. He met Watteau and his work resembled that of Watteau. He enters the academy. He wanted to be a history painter but he painted many gallant scenes and scenes of daily life. He met the engraver Nicolas Larmessin who managed to understand his work and transcribed it perfectly. He became, in a way, the official engraver of this artist's works.

This work was engraved by Nicolas IV de Larmessin, an 18th century French engraver. He was trained in drawing and engraving by his father Nicolas III. He was chosen by the financier Crozat to illustrate his Recueil réunissant les grands chefs d'œuvres des plus belles collections françaises et étrangères. He is skilled in works by his contemporaries. He also produced lighter subjects reflecting the mores of the 18th century.

Frame dimensions :
H : 46, 5 Inch
W : 20,3 Inch.