238 - A. BOREL (1743-1810), A nobleman in a poor household, Aquatint

A. BOREL (1743-1810), A nobleman in a poor household, Aquatint Antoine Borel (1743 Paris - after 1810 ): A nobleman in a humble home An elegantly dressed gentleman presents a gift to a group of women inside the house, 18th century, Aquatint Technique: Aquatint on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print, with clear lines and nuanced shades of grey. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "ABorel inv. excud.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Je vous donne cela, venez à présent.............; Tom. 1er; Page 353". Date: 18th century Description: Within an ornately framed interior, a seated group surrounded by women and children on the left meets an elegantly dressed gentleman in a fur-trimmed coat on the right. The central gesture of presentation gives the scene its narrative structure. A curtain, a small table with a vessel and figures arranged in tiers create a sense of depth. Delicate lines, dense hatching and graduated shades of grey effectively render the garments, faces and drapery against a more neutral background. Source: Arnaud Berquin (1747 -1791 ) Œuvres complètes de Berquin, um 1800 | Book, Genre, Politics, Fashion Keywords: Interior; Group of figures; Nobleman; Gift; Presentation; Woman with child; Poverty; Curtain; Small table; Vessel; narrative scene; French inscription; ornamental frame; fur trim; wig; children; print; book illustration; genre scene; society; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 28,1 cm x 17,9 cm (11,1 x 7 in), Plate: 20,2 cm x 13,7 cm (8 x 5,4 in), Depiction: 15,1 cm x 10,0 cm (5,9 x 3,9 in) Condition: Rather good condition. A larger sheet with noticeable browning at the edges and signs of ageing; sporadic staining; irregular, partly frayed edges, more heavily rubbed at the bottom; slight creases and signs of handling; overall, showing signs of wear due to age. A small hole on the lower left-hand edge of the page.