WATTEAU, Jean Antione (1684-1721)

Figures de Differents Caracteres de Paysages et d'Etudes, Dessinees d'apres Nature par Antoine Watteau peintre du roy en son Academie royale de peinture et sculpture gravees a l'eau forte par des plus habiles peintres et graveurs du temps. Tirees des plus beaux cabinets de Paris [Tome Premier]

Paris: chez Audran, c. 1735. Volume 1 (of 2). Folio. (21x14 inches). Engraved title, engraved portrait of Watteau by Boucher, 8 pp. of engraved text and 132 numbered engravings on 101 plates.

Bound in a spectacular 19th century binding by Leighton, full morocco, spine with elaborate gilt floral tooling in compartments, borders with wide gilt fillets and gilt turn-ins

Provenance: Bookplate of Alfred Charles Freiherr de Rothschild of Halton House, Buckinghamshire

The original edition of volume one of this beautiful collection of engravings published with the encouragement of Jean de Julienne, the director of La Manufacture des Gobelins, who was a collector and a friend of Watteau. The plates were engraved by the best engravers of the time Boucher, Jean and Benoit Audran, Cochin, Desplaces, and others. Antoine Watteau was the master of Rococo and Fetes Galantes styles of art and decoration. Many of the subjects were drawn from the world of Italian comedy and ballet.

Cohen de Ricci 1063; Sander 2043.

Item #41749

Price: $11,000.00