Roubillac's stipple engraving, “Study of a man’s head facing right”, c1773/80

(Attrib.) Roubillac (1739–c1820)

“Study of a man’s head facing right” (descriptive title only), c1773/80 (attribution based on the dates of activity by the publisher Mondhare & Jean [1773–1780]), plate 569 presumably from the series, “Ve. Cahier de principes [sic] de dessein d'après nature”, published by Mondhare & Jean in Paris. (See a similar print by Robillac from the same publication held by the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.167396; and details of the publication offered by the British Museum regarding a print by Jean François Janinet [1752 – 1814]: https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1524247&partId=1&searchText=a+series+of+studies+intended+for+the+artists,+divided+into+14+volumes+of+six+plates+each&page=1.)

Stipple engraving in the crayon-manner printed in sanguine ink on laid paper backed with a support sheet. (Note that there is a hidden drawing backing this print).

Size: (sheet trimmed unevely) 34 x 26 cm; (plate) 30.9 x 24.5 cm

Numbered on plate: (upper right corner) “569”.

Lettered on plate at lower right: “A P D R" (i.e. "With Privilege of the King").

Presumably a proof-state impression before lettering with publication details.

Condition: crisp and well-printed proof impression with small margins showing surface dustiness, a few superficial marks of use and a worm hole near the tip of the figure’s nose. The sheet is backed on a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper and the print has an “old” backing support of a drawing that is only faintly visible if the print is held to the light.

I am selling this sensitively executed crayon-manner engraving (i.e. a type of stipple engaving designed to mimic the gritty line of a chalk drawing) for AU$164 (currently US$119.21/EUR104.31/GBP92.67 at the time of posting these prints) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this sensuously beautiful engraving that was originally designed for artists to copy, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

A pair of 18th century stipple engravings (crayon-manner) of feet by Louis-Marin Bonnet & Roubillac

UPPER IMAGE

Louis-Marin Bonnet (1736–1793)

“Study of a Foot” (descriptive title only), 1789–1793 (these are the dates that the artist was publishing in “rue St. Jacques” as inscribed on the plate), after a drawing by Louis Gabriel Blanche, published in Paris (c1790) by Louis-Marin Bonnet as (transl.) “4th sheet of the 11th notebook” (as inscribed on the plate).

Stipple engraving in the crayon-manner printed in sanguine ink on laid paper backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 29.6 x 38.4 cm; (plate) 25.5 x 33.1 cm

Lettered on plate: (upper right corner) “No. 138/ 4e. Feuille du 11e. Cahier.”; (lower left corner) “Blanchet delin.”; (lower centre) “A Paris, chez Bonnet, rue St. Jacques.”; (lower right corner) “Bonnet Sculp.”

Condition: crisp and well-printed impression with small margins showing signs of use (i.e. flattened folds on the upper margin and surface dustiness) otherwise in good condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, abrasions, stains or foxing). The sheet is backed on a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

LOWER IMAGE

Roubillac (1739–c1820)

“Study of two feet” (descriptive title only), c1773–1780, plate 1 from the series, “Ve. Cahier de principes de dessein d'après nature” (5^th book of principles of design after nature), after a drawing by Pierre Thomas Le Clerc (c1740?–fl.late 1700s) dedicated to the French Rocco painter Louis Jean François Lagrenée (1724–1805), published by Mondhare & Jean (1773–1780) in Paris.

Stipple engraving in the crayon-manner printed in sanguine ink on laid paper backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 25.5 x 33.4 cm; (plate) 23.3 x 31 cm

Numbered on plate: (upper right corner) “1”

Lettered on plate: (left corner) “Le Clerc Del.”; (lower centre) “Roubillac Sculp. A Paris chez Mondhare et Jean, rue St. Jean de Beauvais, No. 4. A.P.D.R.”; (lower right) “VE. CAHIER/  DE PRINCIPES DE DESSEIN/  d'après Nature/ Dédiés/ à Mr L.T.F.Lagrenée/ Peintre  du Roi/ Ancien Recteur de l’Academie Rle. De Peinture et Sculpture/ Et Directeur de l’Academie de France à Rome./ Par son très Humble et très Obeifsant/ Serviteur et Eléve/ P.T. le Clerc”

See the description of this print at the Rijksmuseum: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.collect.415954

Condition: crisp and well-printed impression with small margins showing surface dustiness and a few superficial marks in the margins otherwise in good condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, abrasions, stains or foxing). The sheet is backed on a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling pair of stipple (crayon-manner) engraved studies of feet for AU$300 (currently US$220.83/EUR191.57/GBP172.04 at the time of posting these prints) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing these marvellous studies originally designed for artists to copy, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Regarding the upper stipple engraving executed and published by Louis-Marin Bonnet, this is a very interesting print beyond the beautifully executed rendering of a foot. The technique employed, termed “the crayon-manner” designed to mimic the gritty line of a chalk drawing, was developed by the artist. In short, Bonnet was inventor of this extraordinary technique.

Regarding the second print employing the same technique, the Curator of the British Museum offers the following information about the series, (transl.) “Principles of design after nature”, in which it features:

“… a series of studies intended for the artists, divided into 14 volumes of six plates each. The set was printed in bright red, dark red or bistre, and published by Le Père & Avaulez (1773-77), Mondhare & Jean (1773-80), and Les Campions Frères (from 1780).”

(http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1524247&partId=1&searchText=a+series+of+studies+intended+for+the+artists,+divided+into+14+volumes+of+six+plates+each&page=1