Description
Jerusalem Comme Elle est Present was issued over about 50 years by various publishers, though all examples are rare; only few extant examples of any are known. The offered example bears the following legend lower left: “Fait par Aveline CPR, a Paris ches Charpentier rue St. Jacques au Coq.” This indicates that it was engraved by Pierre Aveline, and printed by Étienne Charpentier. It has been posited that Aveline based the composition on earlier views of Jerusalem. Originally this title was published in 1692 by John-Baptiste Crepy. It was republished by Jacques Chereau, in the 18th Century bearing the legend “à Paris chés Chéreau rue St. Jacques au Coq” with plate number “96” added in upper right margin. The offered slightly later — probably mid 18th Century print — was published by Chapentier, as successor to Chereau at the same address.
Pierre Aveline was a French engraver, print-publisher and print-seller active in Paris. He worked with his sons, Pierre-Alexandre Aveline and Antoine Aveline. He is well known for his prospect views of cities, and his engravings of various subjects after various renowned artists.
Étienne Charpentier was born in Ivry-sur-Seine, in 1704, the son of Pierre and Marguerite Bade. He was active as an engraver and publisher, succeeding in about 1739 to the renowned engraver and publisher Jacques Chéreau, with a studio at Rue Saint Jacques au Coq, Paris. He is sometimes confused with another artist of the same name, working about the same period in Paris.
Jacques Chéreau (1688–1776) was a French engraver and print publisher renowned for his mastery in vues d’optique, a form of perspective prints designed to create an illusion of depth when viewed through optical devices. Chéreau produced prints that captured the imagination of travelers and foreign audiences, often depicting European city scapes, historical scenes, and exotic locations. His prints were highly regarded for their technical innovation combining artistic craftsmanship with emerging optical technologies. His work remains an important part of 18th-century printmaking, offering a glimpse into the period’s fascination with visual effects, architectural detail, and the representation of both real and imagined places. Chereau’s studio was Rue Saint Jacques au Coq, Paris. He was succeeded at that address in the mid 18th Century by the engraver and publisher Étienne Charpentier.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally cleaned and deacidified, with light remaining toning, handling, wear, occasional pale foxing.
References:
“Étienne Charpentier.” British Museum. britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG63276 (24 March 2025).
“James Chereau.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Chereau (24 March 2025).
“Old City of Jerusalem.” UNESCO. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/148/ (24 March 2025).
“Pierre Aveline.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Aveline (24 March 2025).
