Jean Audran (1667–1756)
After Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721)
Two Soldiers
Etching
Overall: 25 3/16 × 19 1/2 × 1 15/16 in. (64 × 49.5 × 4.9 cm)*
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1928
These soldiers are etched after two figures in the series of studies related to Recruits Going to Join the Regiment, on view in the exhibition. The soldier on the left comes from Three Studies of a Soldier from Behind, now in Berlin, and the other is taken from Three Views of a Soldier, One from Behind, which is in the exhibition. Julienne’s two-volume set of Watteau’s drawings allowed other artists to use his figures in their own compositions.
*Print: 8 3/8 × 13 3/8 in. (21.2 × 33.9 cm), Plate: 16 15/16 × 12 5/16 in. (43 × 31.3 cm). In Figures de différents caractères, de Paysages, et d’Etudes dessinées d’après nature par Antoine Watteau, vol. 2. Paris: Audran & F. Chereau, 1728