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 Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print, with clear lines and nuanced shades of gray. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “ABorel inv. excud.”; at the lower part, inscribed in the printing plate: “Je vous donne cela, venez à présent.............; Vol. 1; 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 gray effectively render the garments, faces, and drapery against a more neutral background. Source: Arnaud Berquin (1747–1791) Œuvres complètes de Berquin, c. 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), Image: 15.1 cm x 10.0 cm (5.9 x 3.9 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. A larger sheet with noticeable browning at the edges and signs of aging; 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.