Jean François JaninetFrench, 1752–1814The Difficult Confession
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “The Difficult Confession” now? Collection: Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Cambridge, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
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.
Harvard Art Museums
Details
- Accession number
- 2006.308
In the catalog
Sources
- Harvard Art Museums
- Image: Harvard Art Museums — © President and Fellows of Harvard College
