La Bascule

Jacques-Firmin Beauvarlet after Jean-Honoré Fragonard

National Gallery of Art

This late 18th-century engraving features three individuals in a lush, natural setting with trees. The main figure, a woman, is sitting on a swing or a tree. She has soft facial features, with an upturned nose and plump cheeks, elegantly arranged hair, and is wearing a voluminous dress with intricate folds, highlighted with shadows and texture, puffed sleeves, and possibly a corset. Next to her, a young boy kneels on the ground, wearing a brimmed hat. The third figure is a smaller child clinging to the boy's arm. Both boys are dressed in period clothing. The ground is detailed with floral patterns, textures, and an ornate container with decorative fabric, possibly holding fruits. The background shows dense foliage and trees, suggesting a serene woodland setting. French text is inscribed at the bottom of the image.