236 - A. BOREL (1743-1810), Cécile’s death, Aquatint

A. BOREL (1743-1810), Cécile’s death, Aquatint Antoine Borel (1743 Paris - after 1810 ): Cécile’s death As she lies dying, Cécile collapses in front of her father in an elegant room, 18th century, Aquatint Technique: Aquatint on Paper Impression Quality: A slightly greyish but clearly defined impression. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "ABorel inv. excudit.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Cécile tombe sur le sein de son malheureux Pere........ et c'en est fait....... elle expire!........". Date: 18th century Description: Within an ornate frame, a dramatic scene unfolds in an interior: a young woman slumps lifelessly into the arms of a seated elderly man, whilst three accompanying figures react with alarm. A curtain, wall panels and a medallion painting characterise this elegant room. The lines of sight converge on the dying woman. Delicate lines, soft hatching and graduated shades of grey give form to the robes, faces and sense of depth; the group of figures and the dark background are clearly contrasted. Source: Arnaud Berquin (1747 -1791 ) Œuvres complètes de Berquin, um 1800 | Book, Genre, Politics, Fashion Keywords: Death scene; Interior; Family; Father; Young woman; Fainting; Death; Supporting figures; Emotion; Drapery; Medallion; Chair; Ornate frame; French text; Printed artwork; Sentimentality; Interior; Group of figures; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 27,7 cm x 18,1 cm (10,9 x 7,1 in), Plate: 20,1 cm x 13,5 cm (7,9 x 5,3 in), Depiction: 15,2 cm x 10,0 cm (6 x 3,9 in) Condition: Good condition. The sheet is generally discoloured, showing significant signs of ageing and discolouration at the edges, with a few small spots here and there; the margin is slightly irregular and worn, particularly at the bottom; the plate mark is visible.