Parisian Service (Haviland service): Right in the sun (no. 9) - Félix Bracquemond

A refined etching by Félix Bracquemond, featuring birds and reeds in a minimalist composition inspired by Japanese woodblock prints.

This etching is a component of the ambitious 'Service Parisien', a dinner service commissioned by the porcelain manufacturer Haviland and Co. Félix Bracquemond, a central figure in the French etching revival, designed this series to demonstrate the aesthetic possibilities of combining European ceramic forms with the principles of Japanese art. The project reflects the widespread fascination with ukiyo-e prints that permeated the Parisian art scene during the late nineteenth century.

The composition displays a deliberate asymmetry, a hallmark of the Japonisme movement. Bracquemond places the birds and reeds in a sparse, open field, allowing the negative space of the paper to function as an active element of the design. The lines are precise and economical, capturing the movement of the birds in flight and the stillness of those on the ground with equal clarity. By stripping away unnecessary detail, the artist focuses the viewer on the essential forms of the wildlife and the organic curve of the reeds.

Bracquemond was instrumental in introducing Japanese woodblock prints to his contemporaries, including Manet and Degas. His work on the Haviland service represents a practical application of these foreign influences to decorative arts. The etching demonstrates his technical mastery of the copper plate, where every stroke serves a specific purpose in defining the subject. The result is a work that feels both modern and timeless, prioritising balance and observation over decorative excess. This print offers a glimpse into the collaborative nature of nineteenth-century design, where fine art techniques were adapted for industrial production without sacrificing the integrity of the artist's hand.