Le Goust (Taste) - Abraham Bosse

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Abraham Bosse depicting the sense of taste through a refined domestic dining scene.

This etching by Abraham Bosse, titled Le Goust (Taste), belongs to a series depicting the five senses. Bosse, a master of the French printmaking tradition, provides a detailed view into the domestic life of the seventeenth-century bourgeoisie. The scene centres on a dining table where a man and woman are engaged in the act of eating and drinking. The man holds a glass to his lips, while the woman reaches for food, accompanied by a small dog beneath the table. A servant stands to the left, and another figure presents a dish, creating a narrative of social ritual and culinary indulgence.

The composition is framed by heavy curtains and architectural elements, which give the interior a theatrical quality. In the background, a wall hanging depicts a procession, adding a layer of visual complexity to the room. Bosse employs precise line work to define the textures of the clothing, the tablecloth, and the surrounding furnishings. The inclusion of Latin and French text at the base of the print provides a moralising commentary on the sense of taste, suggesting that nature finds pleasure in reasonable consumption while warning against excess.

Bosse was known for his technical skill in etching, often using the medium to document the fashions and social customs of his time. This work is a fine example of his ability to combine observational detail with allegorical themes. The print captures the material culture of the period, from the style of the garments to the design of the table settings. It remains a valuable historical record of how the senses were conceptualised and represented in early modern European art. The print was published by Melchior Tavernier, a prominent figure in the Parisian print trade during the early seventeenth century.