Bernard Picart

Salmacis et Hermaphrodite - Etching by Bernard Picart - 1742

1742

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of the nymph Echo. Wonderful plate with fresh impression and a beautiful use of chiaroscuro, from the volume “...

Black and white etching on wire rod paper, representing the Greek myth of Glaucus. Wonderful plate with very fresh impression and an elegant line, from the volume “Le Temple des Mus...

Le Sarigue is an etching realized by Jean Charles Baquoy in 1771. It belongs to the suite "Histoire Naturelle de Buffon". The Artist's signature is engraved lower right. Good cond...

Hermes God And Nymph from "Antiquities of Herculaneum" is an etching on paper realized by Filippo Morghen in the 18th Century. Signed on the plate. Good c...

Antique print titled 'Salmacis & Hermaphrodite (..)'. This print depicts Salmacis and Hermaphroditus united in one body. Hermaphroditus was the child of Aphrodite and Hermes. To conceal his birth, Aphrodite placed her son in the care of the nymphs of Mount Ida. On a hunting quest he arrived at the banks of a lake and was spotted by the nymph of the lake, Salmacis, who immediately fell in love with him. The boy resisted her physical advances until the nymph cried out begging the gods that they may never be seperated. Immediately their bodies were united as one, containing no sex...

Copper-line engraving by Binet after Charles Monnet (1732-1808). Agenor tells Cadmus to go and look for his sister Europae. From 'Les Metamorphoses d'...

Classical Mythological Figures Engraving, Montfaucon Antiquité Expliquée 1721 This original early eighteenth-century copper engraving originates from Bernard de Montfaucon’s monumental antiquarian publication L’Antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures, published in Paris in 1721. Widely regarded as one of the most important scholarly works of the Enlightenment, Montfaucon’s encyclopedic study systematically documented the art, mythology, and material culture of the ancient world, laying essential foundations for modern archaeology and art history. The plate presents a carefully arranged compilation of mythological and sculptural studies derived from ancient sources. Multiple vignettes depict classical figures, relief fragments, and symbolic motifs recorded from antique sculptures, gems, and coins. The composition functions almost as a visual catalogue, comparing different representations of mythological subjects collected from prominent European antiquarian collections, including references to works associated with scholars such as Maffei and other early collectors of classical antiquities. At the bottom of the composition, two triton-like sea beings with human torsos and serpent tails raise a nude female figure above the waves, evoking marine mythology connected to nereids, sea deities, or allegorical representations of Venus emerging from the sea. Surrounding studies include winged figures, sculptural heads, medallions, and mythological scenes rendered with remarkable clarity. Montfaucon’s analytical approach—placing multiple related images together for comparison—reflects the Enlightenment ambition to classify and interpret antiquity through visual evidence. The engraving demonstrates the refined precision of early eighteenth-century Parisian copperplate engraving, characterized by delicate linework, balanced spacing, and restrained tonal shading. Beyond its scholarly significance, the plate possesses strong decorative appeal, combining classical imagery with an elegant graphic structure that suits both traditional and contemporary interiors. This original antique engraving is offered unframed, allowing flexibility to select a frame appropriate to the intended interior or collection setting. Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and light paper discoloration consistent with early eighteenth-century prints...

Classical Antiquities Engraving, Sepulchrum des Nasonii, Montfaucon 1721 This original early eighteenth-century copper engraving presents a scholarly compilation of classical antiquities drawn from ancient Roman artworks, engraved gems, and sculptural sources. The plate originates from Bernard de Montfaucon’s influential publication *L’Antiquité expliquée et représentée en figures*, published in Paris in 1721, one of the most important antiquarian works of the Enlightenment and a cornerstone in the development of archaeology and classical art history. The composition assembles multiple mythological and archaeological subjects arranged in a structured, comparative format typical of Montfaucon’s method. At the center appears a detailed scene labeled “Sepulchrum des Nasonii,” referring to the celebrated Tomb of the Nasonii located along the Via Flaminia in Rome, an important Roman funerary monument known for its painted mythological decorations. The engraving records figures, animals, and pastoral imagery derived from ancient wall paintings, offering eighteenth-century scholars and collectors access to monuments that were otherwise difficult to study directly. Surrounding vignettes reproduce imagery taken from antique cameos, engraved gems, and sculptural fragments. Oval compositions depict mythological figures and allegorical scenes, while the lower section includes a classical statue and medallion studies attributed to antiquarian sources associated with collectors and scholars such as Maffei and Vaillant. These references reflect Montfaucon’s ambition to synthesize knowledge gathered from Europe’s major antiquities collections into a single visual encyclopedia. Executed with refined precision, the engraving demonstrates the clarity and balance characteristic of Parisian copperplate engraving of the early 1700s. Fine linework and careful tonal shading translate sculptural and painted sources into a harmonious graphic composition. Today, plates from Montfaucon’s work are appreciated both for their scholarly significance and for their elegant decorative qualities, making them highly suitable for libraries, study interiors, or contemporary gallery walls seeking classical visual depth. This original antique engraving is offered unframed, allowing flexibility to select a frame that best complements the intended interior. Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and light discoloration consistent with early eighteenth-century paper. Minor edge wear and handling marks mainly confined to the margins. Plate impression visible. Blank verso. Framing tips: A dark walnut, gilt, or ebonized frame with a generous ivory mat enhances the academic and neoclassical character of the engraving. For modern interiors, a slim black gallery frame with wide mat spacing provides a refined museum-style presentation. Technique: Copper engraving Maker: Bernard de Montfaucon, France, Paris, 1721 Keywords: Montfaucon engraving, Antiquité expliquée, Sepulchrum des Nasonii, Roman antiquities print, classical archaeology engraving, antique mythological engraving, 18th century copperplate engraving, French antiquarian print, Roman tomb illustration, Via Flaminia Rome print...