François Boucher (September 29, 1703 - May 30, 1770) was a French painter, a proponent of Rococo taste, known for his idyllic and voluptuous paintings on classical themes, decorative allegories representing the arts or pastoral occupations, and intended as a sort of two-dimensional furniture. He also painted several portraits of his illustrious patroness, Madame de Pompadour.
Born in Paris, the son of a lace designer Nicolas Boucher, François Boucher was perhaps the most celebrated decorative artist of the 18th century, with most of his work reflecting the Rococo style. At the young age of 17, Boucher was apprenticed by his father to François Lemoyne, however after only 3 months he went to work for the engraver Jean-François Cars. Within 3 years Boucher had already won the elite Grand Prix de Rome, although he did not take up the consequential opportunity to study in Italy until 4 years later. On his return from studying in Italy in 1731, he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture as a historical painter, and became a faculty member in 1734
During Boucher's time at workshop of the engraver Jean François Cars, he learned the fundamentals of this art and also provided many illustrations for the engravers in the workshop. Among the most notable was a series of drawings for Daniel's Histoire de France, engraved by Baquoy. Later, Boucher was to illustrate the Molière comedies, which were engraved by his boyhood friend Laurent Cars.
The engraver Jean de Julienne entrusted Boucher with the engraving of many of Antoine Watteau's drawings for the important Recueil Julienne. Boucher, who never knew Watteau personally, came to know his style intimately; the indelible impression it made upon him both stylistically and iconographically is evident in Boucher's painting. During his lifetime, Boucher had produce around 200 engravings. Of these, 125 were produced after paintings by Antoinne Watteau. Of the remainder he produced only 15 or so copperplate engravings after his own design. Of these he produced roughly 10 figurative styled depictions. Even though Boucher painted and drew many Allegorical themes, there are no known allegorically themed engravings that have been engraved by Boucher after his own design.
On this note let me introduce to you the only known surviving Allegorically themed copperplare engraved specimen of his own design recently found. An original by the hand of Boucher himself. Probably executed around 1725, the intermediate years between Jean-Francois Cars and his studies in Italy. Executed on Laid paper and engraved Boucher Sc. in the plate, it serves as a fine example of artistic craftmanship. The framework is unusual and is lined with red velvet and the engraving is behind glass. These engravings once started life as part of a folio album. They were only broken up much later by unscrupulous dealers and individually framed and sold to make more money. Ironically, a complete folio by an old master is generally considered priceless. Excluding the frame this item measure 106 x 402mm. I cannot stress how important this artwork is in terms of rarity. There are no such examples available for sale anywhere in the world and the surviving engravings are held in museums internationally or in the hands of private collectors. Provenance - inherited from the late estate Mrs. R. Basdave. Please judge the condition based on the photos below. Please feel free to ask any questions. I am also giving away nice gifts and OTHER original paintings with this deal.
I WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL ITEM TO THIS LOT FOR EACH DAY THAT PASSES FROM THIS DAY 05/19/2015 ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! PACKAGE IS GETTING LARGER!
HURRY BEFORE ITS GONE!
1 copperplate engraving, 2 drawings - one dated 1934, 2 oils, 1 acrylic. All are signed and some are dated. Other gifts included - ladies watch, case with various items - coins, notes etc, antique wood carvings, antique porcelain and more. Package is getting ridiculously large. There have been many viewers and watchers. Who will conclude this deal before its taken?
