516 - J. PUNT (1711-1779), Lark and Field Marshal with a Boy, 1762, Etching

J. PUNT (1711-1779), Lark and Field Marshal with a Boy, 1762, Etching Jan Punt (1711 - 1779 ): A lark and a farmer with a boy A lark and her chicks with the owner of a field; a fable scene featuring a boy, 1762, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, well-balanced print. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "J. Punt del. et sculps.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "L'ALOUETTE ET SES PETITS AVEC LE MAÎTRE D'UN CHAMP. Fable LXXXIII.". Date: 1762 Description: Within a rectangular frame, two male figures stand at the margins of a densely overgrown field of grain or reeds. The older man, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, is holding a long cutting tool and turning towards the boy, who is looking at him intently. To the right, in the low foreground, lie a bird’s nest and some small birds; other birds are moving about in the field. In the background, a slope rises, dotted with trees and a few buildings. Delicate linear hatching renders the ground, vegetation and garments; light areas in the sky and on the hill create a sense of airiness. The scene combines rural labour with a narrative, moralising message. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621 -1695 ) Fables choisies, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Fable; Fieldwork; Farmer; Boy; Bird’s nest; Lark; Young birds; Landscape; Slope; Trees; House; Reeds; Scythe; Genre; Book illustration; French text; Border; Etching; Moral lesson; Rural scene; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19,4 cm x 12,2 cm (7,6 x 4,8 in), Depiction: 13,0 cm x 8,5 cm (5,1 x 3,3 in) Condition: Good condition. Overall, in good condition for its age and well preserved. Puncture marks from an old binding are visible on the side of the page edge. The corners of the sheets show minimal wear. Slight browning along the edges. A few faint mould stains are visible.