Bernard Picart, “Erigone and Bacchus”, c. 1730, after Guido Reni

Bernard Picart (1673–1733)

“Erigone and Bacchus” (titled in the plate “Erigone et Bachus en Grape de Raisin” [Erigone and Bacchus as a Bunch of Grapes]), c. 1730 (1725–1733)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with plate tone, printed in brown ink on wove paper.

This is Plate 30 from “Impostures innocentes, ou Recueil d’estampes d’après divers peintres illustres” (Innocent Impostures, or a Collection of Prints after Various Illustrious Painters). The series was engraved by Picart in the final years of his life and first published posthumously in Amsterdam by his widow, “chez la Veuve B. Picart”, in 1734. The composition is based on a figure by Guido Reni (1575–1642).

The impression is strong and crisp, and the sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, and stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 21.5 x 26.8 cm
• Platemark: 11.9 x 13.2 cm
• Image borderline: 10.9 x 12.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Guido Rheni invenit”
• Centre: “Erigone, et Bachus en Grape de Raisin.”
• Right: “B. Picart sculp.”

References:

• LeBlanc 71 (Ch. Leblanc, “Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes”, vol. 3, 1888, Paris, Émile Bouillon, p. 492, cat. no. 71)
• The complete publication, “Impostures innocentes, ou Recueil d'estampes d'après divers peintres illustres”, featuring this print, is available digitally via the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_impostures-innocentes-o_picart-bernard_1756/page/n61/mode/2up
• The British Museum: Museum Number 1861,1109.772 —https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-1109-772

Price & Shipping:

AU$226 (approximately US$157.35 / €139.95 / £118.15), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in purchasing this sensitively executed etching depicting the daughter of Icarius—the mythical nymph Erigone—encountering Bacchus (Dionysus), who appears to her in the guise of a bunch of grapes, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to send you a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.