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Neoclassical, Art, Mythology, Cupid, Pair Antique Prints, Paris, late 18th Century

$1,150

Claude-François Devosges III (1732-1811) (after)
L’Innocence en danger [Innocence in danger]

François-André Vincent (1746-1816) (after)
L’Amour et l’Amitié [Love and Friendship]

Jacques-Louis Copia (1764-1799) (engraver)
Bance le Jeune, Paris: Late 18th Century
Color printed stippled and etched engravings
18 x 13.25 inches, overall
14.75 x 11.5 inches, image
$1,150, the pair

Two sensuous allegorical nudes of Cupid in a refined neoclassical style. In L’Innocence en danger, he embraces a virgin seated next to a lamb and holding a white rose as he prepares to prick her forefinger with an arrow. In L’Amour et l’Amitié, Cupid’s arrows are left on the ground as he embraces a winged nymph in one arm and a lyre in the other.

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Description

Claude-François Devosges III (also spelled Devosge) was French painter, draftsman and teacher. Initially he studied sculpture in Paris, but after losing one eye in a cataract operation, gave it up, though he continued to paint. In 1760, he moved to Burgundy.

François-André Vincent was a French painter and draftsman, one of the principal innovators in French art in the 1770s and 1780s in the neoclassical style. His subjects included history, including themes from national history, portraits, religious themes and mythological figures. His stylistic sources included the art of antiquity, Raphael, 17th-century Bolognese art and Charles Le Brun, and his style bears a number of affinities with those of his contemporaries Boucher and Fragonard. His paintings are in numerous museum collections, including Versailles and the Louvre.

Jacques-Louis Copia was a German-born engraver who went to Paris, where he engraved works after Prud’hon, Lawreince, Devosges, Vincent and Barbier. He died in Paris.

Full publication information: Bance le Jeune. Rue Porte-Foin No. 14, près le Temple, Paris

Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning and wear and almost imperceptible light scattered foxing. Original colors bright and clear — fine example of neoclassical period color printing.

References:

Bénézit, E. Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des Peintres, Sculpteurs, Dessinateurs et Graveurs. France: Librairie Gründ, 1966. Vol. 2, p. 620.

“Claude-Francois Desvosges III.” The Grove Dictionary of Art. New York: Macmillan. 2000. Online at Artnet.com. http://www.artnet.com/library/02/0225/T022524.asp (14 April 2004).

“François-André Vincent.” The Grove Dictionary of Art. New York: Macmillan. 2000. Online at Artnet.com. http://www.artnet.com/library/08/0897/T089726.asp (14 April 2004).

Additional information

Century

18th Century