239 - A. BOREL (1743-1810), A reunion at the salon, Aquatint

A. BOREL (1743-1810), A reunion at the salon, Aquatint Antoine Borel (1743 Paris - after 1810 ): Reunion in the Salon A sentimental reunion scene set in an elegant interior, with a French signature, 18th century, Aquatint Technique: Aquatint on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print, with delicate, clear lines and nuanced shades of grey. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "ABorel inv. del.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Quel moment! .... quel bonheur après un an d'absence. / Tom. 3, Pag. 388.". Date: 18th century Description: Set within an ornate frame, the sheet depicts a courtly interior scene. A seated woman receives a kneeling man who is nestling close to her; on the right, a second woman embraces a gentleman who is entering the room. Two further figures observe the encounter. Furniture, a bust and an open door create a sense of depth in the room. Delicate lines, dense hatching and graduated shades of grey render the fabrics, faces and architecture. The gestures emphasise reunion, affection and intense emotion. Source: Arnaud Berquin (1747 -1791 ) Œuvres complètes de Berquin, um 1800 | Book, Genre, Politics, Fashion Keywords: Interior; Reunion; Embrace; kneeling man; seated woman; courtly society; salon; sentimentality; bust; harp; doorway; figures arranged in tiers; print; cartouche; floral frame; French text; depiction of emotion; Rococo interior; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 27,7 cm x 17,7 cm (10,9 x 7 in), Plate: 20,3 cm x 13,4 cm (8 x 5,3 in), Depiction: 15,0 cm x 10,0 cm (5,9 x 3,9 in) Condition: Rather good condition. A distinctly tanned sheet with an irregular, partly wavy margin; scattered stains and signs of age, slight creases and pressure marks along the margin, the plate mark visible. A small grease stain on the left-hand margin of the sheet; a small hole in the bottom left-hand corner.