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

TABLEAUX OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS, THE ROMANS, AND CONTEMPORARY NATIONS

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

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

A richly illustrated cultural-historical work from the Age of Enlightenment, published in 1785 — just four years before the French Revolution.

The work

The detailed original title reads:

Tableaux des anciens Grecs, des Romains, et des nations contemporaines; where one finds the Ceremonial, Private Life, the Political, Civil, & Military State, the Sciences & the Arts of Antiquity.

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

It documents the pronounced interest of late 18th-century antiquity enthusiasts and fuses historical explanations with elaborately designed illustrations.

The 11 Original Copper Plates

Particularly noteworthy are the 11 uncolored original copper plates from the period when the work was created.

The finely etched depictions portray ancient personalities, historical costumes, mythological scenes, as well as religious and social ceremonies.

Among the depicted motifs are:

* Homer – the Greek poet
* 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 suckling Romulus and Remus / Two Nudist 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 engravings impress with their nuanced line work, careful shading, and three-dimensional modelling of figures.

The plates bear signatures indicating the artist and engraver: Desrais del., Desfraines del., and Le Cœur sculp.

Bibliographic and Historical Features

The title page lists Paris as the 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 parts. The title page originally announced two quarto volumes. Antiquarian comparison copies show varying plate configurations, including editions with 6, 11, or 12 copper plates.

The present edition contains 11 original copper plates. A complete bibliographical collation of all originally intended text portions and deliveries is not available.

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 December 15, 1785.

Bibliographical Details

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

Place of Publication: Paris

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

Year: 1785

Edition: Original 18th-century edition

Language: French

Format: Quarto (4°), as stated on title page

Illustrations: 11 historical original copper plates, uncolored

Artists/Draughtsmen: Claude-Louis Desrais (1746–1816), Desfraines and others

Engravers: Le Cœur and other engravers

Condition

Historical copy with age-related signs of use.

The copper plates predominantly show strong, clear, detailed printed images.

Ages-related paper discoloration, sporadic foxing, creases, folds, and signs of use are present. The condition is consistent with the age and use of the work.

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

Collecting Value

An attractive French original publication from 1785 with 11 historical copper plates, offering a vivid insight into antique reception and book illustration during the French Enlightenment.

Of particular interest to collectors of historical books, original 18th-century print graphics, classical antiquarian studies, mythology, costume history, and French book art.

Note: Bibliographical data are based on the original title page, the existing components of the work, and antique comparative references. A complete collation of the textual contents has not been carried out. The offered item is the illustrated copy in the documented condition.

Sale is from a private collection with exclusion of liability for material defects to the extent permitted by law. Exceptions are mandatory statutory liability in cases of wilful concealment of defects or explicitly assumed guarantees.