‘LE COUPE-TETE’

– “Leap Frog, from The Games of the Urchins of Paris.” Jean-Baptiste Tilliard and Augustin de Saint-Aubin’s series of prints depicting traditional children’s games also included horseshoes and jump rope. Although some of the leap-frogging ‘urchins’ in this etching are barefoot and disheveled from their athletics, their trappings would not be out of place for the more adult and aristocratic game of the hunt. The moralizing verse at the bottom of the print notes that while this pastime is good exercise for forgetting the woes of schooling, the delicately etched, rosy-cheeked boys also symbolize ambitious members of society or politics, those who unduly elevate themselves before their reputation comes crashing down.

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Description

“Leap Frog, from The Games of the Urchins of Paris.” Jean-Baptiste Tilliard and Augustin de Saint-Aubin’s series of prints depicting traditional children’s games also included horseshoes and jump rope. Although some of the leap-frogging ‘urchins’ in this etching are barefoot and disheveled from their athletics, their trappings would not be out of place for the more adult and aristocratic game of the hunt. The moralizing verse at the bottom of the print notes that while this pastime is good exercise for forgetting the woes of schooling, the delicately etched, rosy-cheeked boys also symbolize ambitious members of society or politics, those who unduly elevate themselves before their reputation comes crashing down.

Made by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard after Augustin de Saint-Aubin.

Medium: Etching on hand laid (verge) paper.

Sheet size: 28 x 36.3 cm (11.02 x 14.29 inch). Image size: 18.3 x 21.7 cm. (7.2 x 8.54 inch).

Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

LEAP-FROG-GAMES-URCHINS-PARIS | PCO-E18-1

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

From a series of child plays: ‘C’est-ici les differens jeux des petits Polissons de Paris.’.

Reference: Art Institute Chicago Reference number: 1975.48e.

Biography engraver: Jean-Baptiste Tilliard / Tillard (French, 1740-1813) was a engraver from Paris, student of Fessard.

Biography artist: Augustin de Saint-Aubin sometimes styled Auguste de Saint-Aubin (3 January 1736 – 9 November 1807), belongs to an important dynasty of French designers and engravers.