WATTEAU, Jean Antione (1684-1721)

Estampes D'Apres Watteau

Paris: chez Gersaint and others, c. 1735. Folio. (21 1/2 x 18 inches). Manuscript title 'Estampes d'apres Watteau.' 69 fine engravings on 63 sheets - 7 with two engravings to the page, the rest single sheet plates with the double page plates counted as one plate. Included are 7 rococo images, a set of the seasons (a horizontal set) and 5 double-page plates, the bibliography calls for 7 and here we have four of the listed double page plates and one unlisted (L'Accordee de Village). 35 of the plates have been trimmed to the margin but with their titles present and laid on sheets to fit the binding. 5 plates have an almost invisible fold.

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.

There is a very detailed description of this work (the Schuhmann copy with 206 plates) in Cohen de Ricci. It states that the vertical plates are in volume one and the horizontal plates are in volume two of 'Oeuvres'. Here we have 19 from volume one and 39 from volume two and 11 plates not listed in the bibliography. It further states that the Edmond de Rothschild incomplete collection contains the finest impressions. This collection contains the bookplate of Alfred Charles Freiherr de Rothschild of Halton House, Bucks. The impressions of the engravings in this album is superb, mostly in the rococo, Fetes Galantes style for which Watteau is legendary. They were engraved by the finest engravers of the time- Huquier, Liotard, Audran, Fessard, etc. Antoine Watteau was the master of Rococo and Fetes Galantes. Many of the subjects were drawn from the world of Italian comedy and ballet.

Cohen de Ricci 1059.

Item #41751

Price: $18,750.00