Drinking a Toast - Gerard ter Borch

A refined engraving after Gerard ter Borch, depicting a woman in a domestic interior during a quiet moment of reflection.

This fine art print reproduces an engraving after the original work by Gerard ter Borch, a master of the Dutch Golden Age. The scene depicts a woman seated in a domestic interior, captured in the act of raising a glass to her lips. Ter Borch is recognised for his ability to render the textures of fine fabrics, and this print preserves the meticulous attention to the sheen of the woman's satin gown and the delicate lace of her cap.

Behind the figure, a folding screen provides a sense of enclosure, while a table covered with a patterned cloth holds a metal ewer and a single candle. The composition reflects the quiet, observational nature of seventeenth-century Dutch genre painting, where everyday activities are treated with a high degree of technical precision. The engraving process, executed by Juste Chevillet, translates the subtle tonal shifts of the original oil painting into a monochrome medium, using cross-hatching and varied line weights to define form and shadow.

The inclusion of the French inscription, 'La Santé Portée', and the heraldic crest at the base of the print indicates its circulation as a high-quality reproduction intended for a sophisticated audience. Such prints were common in the eighteenth century, allowing collectors to own copies of works held in private cabinets. The print offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the period, focusing on a singular, private moment of reflection or celebration. The balance between the figure and the surrounding objects creates a stable, harmonious arrangement, typical of Ter Borch's approach to interior scenes. This piece is a fine example of the reproductive printmaking tradition that helped disseminate the style and subject matter of Dutch masters across Europe.