Catalogue de Tableaux, Sculptures, Dessins, Estampes encadrées, en feuilles & en Recueils; d’un précieux Fonds de Planches gravées avec leurs Epreuves; de divers Ustensiles de Graveur, & autres objets de Curiosité: Le tout provenant de la Succession de feu…Dont la Vente se fera dans les premiers jours du mois de Décembre prochain, en sa maison…Par M. Hayot de Longpré…
Finely engraved frontis. with profile of Le Bas (drawn by Cochin & engraved by C.E. Gaucher) & finely engraved tailpiece at the end of the biographical sketch (by same). xlix, 92, 19 pp. catalogue list. 8vo, orig. semi-stiff boards (head of spine a little split), leaves uncut. Paris: Clousier & Joullain, 1783.
The very rare sale catalogue of the engraver to the Cabinet du Roi; with a valuable list of 133 catalogues produced by Joullain since 1763. Le Bas (1707-83), studied under Antoine Hérisset and is famous for his skilled imitations of works by Teniers, Wouwerman, Falens, Coypel, Watteau, Oudry, etc.
This catalogue begins with a lengthy and most informative biographical sketch based on notes by Hecquet, a connoisseur of prints and close friend of Le Bas. It discusses contemporary debates on the artistic merit of engraving and Le Bas’ reputation in the art world, providing an intimate understanding of the man.
The present catalogue describes 15 paintings, 56 drawings, 705 lots of prints (some very large group lots), 10 lots of artist’s tools, a lot containing several reams of fine paper, and three lots of furniture and several portfolios, for a total of 787 lots. The auctioneer denotes whether or not prints are in “first state.” There is a table of artists at the end.
Nice copy, sporadic marginal dampstaining. The frontispiece portrait has a small stain just touching the image.
❧ Benezit, Vol. 8, pp. 586 (Le Bas). Blanc, Trésor de la Curiosité…, Vol. II, pp. 84-87. Lugt 3639. N.B.G., Vol. 30, col. 65.
Price: $1,500.00
Item ID: 6181
