Blaffende hond jaagt eenden van nest 1732 - 1776

Gilles Demarteau created this print, "Barking Dog Chasing Ducks from Nest," using the crayon manner, a printmaking technique that imitated the appearance of chalk or crayon drawings. This image, likely made in France, captures a moment of natural conflict. A dog startles two ducks who are protecting their nest. The scene, set in a marshy landscape, reflects an interest in the natural world, but its creation and distribution through prints speaks to the cultural and economic conditions of its time. Demarteau's print was part of a larger market for decorative images, made accessible to a wider audience through printmaking. The rise of print culture in the 18th century democratized art, moving away from exclusive patronage and towards a broader consumption model. To fully understand this image, one might delve into the history of printmaking, exploring the social role of images and consulting archival sources to determine the audience for and reception of prints like these.