Provoking Fidelity Engraving 18th In Pastel Fashion, Gold Leaf Decor

Rare print of the eighteenth "in the style of pastel" (engraving process in the manner of a pencil specific to this artist) whose spectacular decor forming a frame was made of gold leaf. Sumptuous and admirable finesse, the subject borrowed from a painting by Marc-Antoine Parelle by the excellent engraver Louis Marin Bonnet depicts an elegant and graceful young woman holding her little dog in her arms.

Moment of tenderness and absolute trust between the animal and its mistress; an avant-garde subject, animals not always having the consideration they have acquired today despite the Civil Code still considering them as movable property. Painter, but above all an engraver - in the wash, and in the style of a pencil - and publisher of prints, Louis-Marin Bonnet, pupil of Demarteau, had developed a method of engraving superior to engraving in the manner of a pencil imitating the pastel he relates in his treatise "The pastel in engraving, invented and executed by Louis Bonnet". This process resulted in prints with finesse, subtle nuances and freshness of extraordinary colors but which, to achieve perfection to eight matrices, was very expensive.

The BNF has an important background of prints by this artist. This admirable engraving, perfect example of French excellence recognized in England, was made by Louis-Marin Bonnet in 1775 at the request of François Vivares. François Vivares, himself an engraver, born in France, lived in Geneva before settling in London at the age of eighteen, where he lived until his death in 1780. His entire career took place in England. He owned a printshop on Newport Street London where he exhibited and sold this remarkable and rare print. Directed in 1775 by Louis Marin Bonnet after a work by MA Parelle Mention of "publisher": F. Vivares ingreat Newport London Street - Rare print Bel framing, tiny wear