17th C. Copperplate Engraving From "Art of the Grotto of Versailles"

Estimate: $1500-$1750

Description: Exquisite late 17th century copper plate engraving by Jean Le Paultre, illustrating a map of the earth and six continents. Above the map is an image depicting the descent of Apollo, the sun god, into the sea at the end of his daily procession across the heavens. This engraving is from a set of prints depicting details of the some of the bas relief sculptures executed for Louis XIV's grotto of the sun at Versailles and made by prominent French sculptors of the 17th century.

This relief occupied the top center of the façade in King Louis XIV's grotto. It was surrounded by reliefs of mythological sea creatures frolicking in the sunset: Tritons and Nereids playing instruments, and cupids riding dolphins.

Six disks representing the parts of the globe decorated the gates and illustrated the universal reach of the sun’s beneficial action.

This monochrome engraving is on animal hide parchment and shows both the plate ring and false plate ring clearly.

Dimensions: Skin measures 17.75" x 22.875", plus matte and frame.

Condition: Generally very good with usual light overall toning, light scattered soiling, and wear to edges.  Few stray printers marks and minor abrasions. Some scattered creases in margins. See photos

Bio: Jean Lepautre (or Le Paultre) was a prolific French designer and engraver based in his native Pairs, and elected a member of the Academy in 1667.  While he produced plates of portraits and religious subjects, he excelled at architectural subjects, producing some 1,500 etchings and engravings of architectural decorations, friezes, ceilings, vases and all types of ornaments.  Most of them were executed after his own drawings which exhibited a personal flair and imagination.  His depictions of the gardens and ornaments of Versailles helped popularize the Louis XIV style in Europe.