Antique Print-Aquatint-PARIS-COLLEGE-POLYTECHNIQUE-SCIENCE-Legrand-Gavard-1845

Original line and aquatint etching on a vellin type paper. The plate design method is curious. Gavard used an instrument combining a pantograph (for exact design reproduction) with a diagraph, an optical instrument. The diagraph was a variation on the camera lucida. When attached to a pantograph, accurate reproductions of an original could be made in many sizes. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 40 x 25.5 cm. The image size is ca. 28 x 22 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 15.7 x 10 inch. The image size is ca. 11 x 8.7 inch.

Plate ‘Vue prise de l’Ecole Polytechnique’, (a French public institution of higher education famous for its degrees in science and engineering, also known simply as Polytechnique, or X) in Paris, France. This plate originates from: ‘Collection des Principales vues de Paris. Dessinees par Gavard avec la Diagraphe et gravees par les meilleurs artistes.’, by Charles Gavard, published in Paris by Tatout, not dated, c. 1845. (Transl.: Collection of the principle views of Paris. Designed by Gavard, by use of the Diagraph and engraved by the best artists.) One of 32 views from this work.Artists and Engravers: Designer / Author: Charles Gavard (French 1794-1871). Charles Gavard had an active printshop. Besides being an accomplished engraver and lithographer, Gavard was also an engineer and inventor. Engravers: A. Appert et F. Salathe. Friedrich Salathe (1793-1858), was a Swiss born landscape artist, designer and etcher/engraver.

Condition: Very good given age. A closed tear in the bottom margin (backed with acid-free archival tape). General age related toning and occasional light staining. Paper edges a bit irregular from handling. Left margin irregular from binding. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: ANTIQUE PRINT-AQUATINT-PARIS-COLLEGE-POLYTECHNIQUE-SCIENCE-LEGRAND-GAVARD

(PCO) A265-20