This is a fine late 18th-century impression of an engraving / etching on copper by Nicolas de Launay (1739–1792) (published in Paris).
It is being sold as a guaranteed original engraving and is NOT a reproduction.
The composition reproduces the large oil painting by Sir Peter Paul Rubens which is now in the collection of the National Gallery, London.
The image shows The Triumph of Silenus. Silenus is shown at the centre naked to the waist, his lower half covered with drapery. He is supported by two satyrs. Another satyr is shown to the left and kissing an elderly woman who carries a torch and a jug of wine. A Bacchante takes grapes from the vine and presses the juice onto the God's chest. To the right, a reveller plays the flute. Lower, left two children hold vine branches and below is the head of a goat. Certainly quite a drunken revelry!
The paper is heavyweight and you can see the impressed platemark from the original copperplate around the image.
Dimensions: The new window mount is 58 x 64 cm. The image size is 40 x 45.8 cm.
It is inscribed with the following dedication: Lettered in lower margin with title, production details, three-line dedication to Baron de Schimelmann by J H Eberts, and with description of the painting: "Peint par P.P. Rubens" and "et Gravé par N. De Launay, de l'Académie Royale de Peinture et Sculpture" and "A Paris, chez De Launay, Graveur du Roi, rue de la Bucherie / la Porte cochère après la rue des Rats / AVEC PRIVILEGE DU ROI" and "Le Tableau original appartient à Monsieur Du Tartre, à Paris".
It is printed on a heavy sheet of wove paper which is in generally good antique condition for a print nearly 240 years old. Some little creases to the edge of the sheet - which are hidden by the new window mount - but the image is just fine and it certainly displays nicely when mounted, as photographed. The price takes into account the minor condition issues and relative rarity of this fine antique print by De Launay.
I have photographed the print before going to our framers for the mount - and after it has been returned to me.
Great for a traditional dining room of a bon viveur!
An impression of this print is in the collection of the Met in New York, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London - so a much sought after and certainly a fine museum quality engraving.
Listed at a very fair price for the specialist print collector or dealer. The light creases to the bottom corners have been taken into account with my pricing. But it remains a nice impression with no tears or spotting and in good display condition.
The print has been with our picture framers and has been given a new fresh acid-free window mount and backing. It is all ready for you just to put in a frame.
UK Postage will be for Parcelforce24 Tracked postage with insurance. This will be applied to your order at the checkout.