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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2006.308
People
Jean François Janinet, French (1752 - 1814)
After Nicolas Lavreince, Swedish (Stockholm, Sweden 1737 - 1807 Stockholm, Sweden)
Title
The Difficult Confession
Other Titles
Original Language Title: L'Aveu Difficile
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
1787
Culture
French
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/318169

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Wash manner, printed in blue, red, carmine, yellow, and black inks with printed title
Dimensions
Image: 36.2 × 28.4 cm (14 1/4 × 11 3/16 in.)
Plate: 46.5 × 35.5 cm (18 5/16 × 14 in.)
Sheet: 54.5 × 41 cm (21 7/16 × 16 1/8 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: printed l.l.: Lavreince del.
  • inscription: printed l.r.: F. Janinet sc
  • inscription: printed lower margin: L'Aveu Difficile

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

State
iii/iii
Standard Reference Number
IFF, vol. XII, no. 24, p.17; Portalis and Béraldi 39

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Nesta and Walter Spink
Accession Year
2006
Object Number
2006.308
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Commentary
Beginning in 1786 the Swedish painter Niklas Lafrensen-known in France as Nicolas Lavreince-and printmaker Jean- François Janinet collaborated on about ten color prints evoking the luxury and style of the ancient régime. This print, L'Aveu Difficile, is one of the most famous of these prints. It is one of three prints depicting women in fashionable interiors, and the models for all three of these prints were gouaches by Lavrience. A woman is shown at her dressing table revealing a secret to her visitor-a secret that remains a mystery to the viewer. The image was printed in four colors from four plates in the delicate lavis-manner (or wash manner) technique that duplicates the look of airy washes of ink or watercolor.

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 2220 18th-19th Century, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 03/11/2015

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu