Landschap met een huis langs een pad over een brug c. 1743s - 1753s

Jean Moyreau made this print of a landscape with a house along a path over a bridge using etching. The original painting was by P. Wouwerman. Prints such as this were part of a booming art market in 18th century Europe, where the wealthy would collect and display art in their homes. The text at the bottom indicates that this print was commissioned by the Comte de Mimerau from the artist Moyreau in 1743 in Paris. The print is therefore not only a work of art in its own right but a record of collecting practices, revealing the importance of aristocratic patronage to the art market. Landscapes such as these reflected a nostalgic longing for rural life, as well as an investment in land ownership by the aristocratic elite. To understand this print better, we can research the history of the art market, the tastes of collectors, and the techniques of printmaking in 18th century France.