Anonym / Claude-Louis Desrais - Tableaux des anciens Grecs et des Romains - 1785

TABLEAUX DES ANCIENS GRECS, DES ROMAINS ET DES NATIONS CONTEMPORAINES

Paris, Pierre Remy & J. B. G. Musier, 1785

Rare French original edition from the 18th century with 11 historical original copperplates after drawings by Desrais and other artists, etched among others by Le Cœur.

A richly illustrated cultural-historical work from the era of the French Enlightenment, published in 1785 – only four years before the French Revolution.

The work

The full original title reads:

Tableaux des anciens Grecs, des Romains, et des nations contemporaines; où l’on trouve le Cérémonial, la Vie privée, l’État Politique, Civil, & Militaire, les Sciences & les Arts de l’Antiquité.

The publication deals with the social, religious, political and military life of Greek and Roman antiquity as well as their sciences, arts, customs and manners.

It documents the pronounced interest of the late 18th century in classical antiquity and combines historical explanations with elaborately designed illustrations.

The 11 Original Copperplates

Of particular note are the 11 uncolored original copperplates from the time of the work’s creation.

The finely engraved depictions show ancient figures, historical costumes, mythological scenes as well as religious and social ceremonies.

Among the depicted motifs are:

* Homer – the Greek poet Homer
* Augur – Roman augur
* Amazon – armed Amazon
* Roman Soldier – Roman soldier
* Spartan Girl – Spartan young woman
* Roman Wedding – Roman wedding ceremony
* Anacreon – Greek lyric poet
* The She-Wolf nursing Romulus and Remus / Two Naked Gladiators – Romulus and Remus with the she-wolf and two gladiators
* Gaul Soldier – Gallic warrior
* Roman Lady – Roman lady
* Vestal – Priestess of the goddess Vesta

The copper engravings impress with their differentiated linework, careful shading and plastic modeling of figures.

The plates are partly marked with the artist and engraver signatures Desrais del., Desfraines del. and Le Cœur sculp.

Bibliographic and historical features

The title page lists Paris as place of publication and the publishers Pierre Remy and J. B. G. Musier. The edition bears the year 1785 (M.DCC.LXXXV).

The work was issued in installments. The title page originally announces two quarto volumes. Antiquarian comparison copies exist with different plate configurations, including copies with 6, 11 and 12 copperplates.

The present edition contains 11 original copperplates. A complete bibliographic collation of all originally intended text volumes and deliveries has not been established.

The publication is dedicated to Emmanuel-Félicité de Durfort, Duke of Duras, Marshal of France and a member of the Académie française, and to Charles-Armand-Fidèle de Durfort, Count of Duras.

Royal approbation is dated 15 December 1785.

Bibliographic details

Title: Tableaux des anciens Grecs, des Romains et des nations contemporaines

Place of publication: Paris

Publishers: Pierre Remy & J. B. G. Musier

Year of publication: 1785

Edition: Original 18th-century edition

Language: French

Format: Quarto (4°), per title page

Illustrations: 11 historical original copperplates, uncolored

Artists/Draftspersons: Claude-Louis Desrais (1746–1816), Desfraines and other contributors

Engraver: Le Cœur and other engravers

Condition

Historical copy with age-related signs of wear.

The copperplates predominantly show strong, clearly legible and detailed engraved images.

Age-related paper yellowing, scattered foxing, creases, folds and signs of use are present. The condition reflects the age and use of the work.

The numerous high-resolution photographs document the actual state of preservation and are part of the description.

Collecting value

An attractive French original publication from 1785 with 11 historical copperplates, providing a vivid insight into antiquity reception and book illustration of the French Enlightenment.

Of particular interest to collectors of historical books, original 18th-century colonial engravings, classical antiquity studies, mythology, costume history, and French book arts.

Note: Bibliographic details are based on the original title page, the existing components of the work and antiquarian comparison references. A complete collation of the text content has not been undertaken. The offering is the illustrated copy in the documented condition.

The sale is from a private collection, with exclusion of liability for material defects to the extent permitted by law. Exceptions apply only to mandatory statutory liability, in particular for deceitfully concealed defects or explicitly assumed warranties.