Estampe – Le Billet Doux – Lettre d'amour (gravure au burin)

ID: s43035
Catégorie: Tableaux
Sous-catégorie: Gravure
Emplacement: Nouveau magasin

Pays d’origine: France
État: Occasion

Description: Original copper engraving with etching from the second half of the 18th century on period handmade paper. The graphic print depicts an intimate scene from an aristocratic salon. A woman is reading aloud to an older lady, while a young man behind her back secretly hands over a love letter (billet doux). In the right part of the composition, musical instruments – a harp and a cello – are placed. The work is an example of the gallant genre, typical of the reign of Louis XVI. Both thematically and artistically, it follows the Rococo print titled “Le Coucher de la Mariée”. The original design for the print was created by Niklas Lafrensen the Younger (also known as Nicolas Lavreince, 1737–1807), a Swedish court painter working in Paris. The engraver Nicolas de Launay (1739–1792), a member of the Royal Academy and one of the best French engravers of his time, processed the work into a copper engraving. The work was published in Paris around 1778. Below the print, in the lower left, is the signature: “PEINT À LA GOUASSE PAR N. LAVREINCE, PEINTRE DU ROY DE SUEDE” (painted in gouache by N. Lavreince, painter to the King of Sweden). Below the print, in the lower right, is the signature: “GRAVÉ PAR N. DE LAUNAY, DE L'ACADÉMIE ROYALE DE PEINTURE ET SCULPTURE” (engraved by N. De Launay, member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture). The work is dedicated to François-Marie Ménage de Pressigny, a prominent royal tax collector and art patron, as stated in the dedication: “DÉDIÉ À MONSIEUR MENAGE DE PRESSIGNY, CONSEILLER FERMIER GÉNÉRAL...". The complete dedication text reads: “LE BILLET DOUX / DÉDIÉ À MONSIEUR MENAGE DE PRESSIGNY, CONSEILLER FERMIER GÉNÉRAL / TIRÉ DU CABINET DE MR MENAGE DE PRESSIGNY / A PARIS, CHEZ DE LAUNAY, GRAVEUR DU ROY, RUE DE LA BUCHERIE, LA PORTE COCHERE PRÈS LA RUE DES RATS / PAR SON TRÈS HUMBLE ET TRÈS OBÉISSANT SERVITEUR, N. DE LAUNAY”. Translation of the dedication: “The Love Letter / Dedicated to Monsieur Ménage de Pressigny, Royal Tax Collector / From the Cabinet of Mr. Ménage de Pressigny / In Paris, at De Launay, Engraver to the King, Rue de la Bucherie, the coach gate near Rue des Rats / By his very humble and very obedient servant, N. De Launay”. The printing area of the work is in excellent condition, with detailed drawing and a deep print impression. On the bottom edge of the paper, below the text part, water staining is visible, creating a water map. Minor oxidative spots (foxing) are also present on the paper. The work is framed with a gilded finish. The surface of the frame shows abrasions and local darkening.

4 500 Kč / €188