Jean Frédéric Schall "mademoiselle De La Vallières", Engraving, 18th Century

This charming engraving named Mademoiselle de La Vallières under a tent in the Bois de Vincennes was made by Louis Charles Ruotte, after the work of Jean Frédéric Schall. This engraving belongs to a series of 6 engravings dealing with the meeting between Louise de La Vallières and King Louis XIV. Here is represented the meeting between King Louis XIV and this young woman Louise de La Vallières. She is on the left of the composition, dressed in a white dress. In front of her, the seated monarch looks at her. A courtier offers a basket full of flowers to this young woman. The whole scene takes place in nature and is surrounded by many aristocrats. Louise de La Vallières is a French aristocrat of the 18th century. She was the favorite of Louis XIV from 1661 to 1667. The king dedicated one of the great parties organized at Versailles to her "The pleasures of the enchanted island". But she was finally abandoned by the king in favor of Madame de Montespan. Following this disgrace, she turned to religion and entered the Carmelite convent of the Faubourg Saint Jacques in Paris. The composition is by the French genre painter and portraitist, Jean Frederic Schalke. This 18th century man was trained at the public school of Strasbourg. He was then admitted to the school for protected students of the Royal Academy. His first works focused on gallant subjects that he produced in the style of great masters such as Fragonard. He was in contact with the high society of his time. He witnessed the Ancien Régime, as for the sweetness of life, the morals. He produced many portraits of actresses and dancers of the time. He was also chosen to illustrate literary works such as "Les amours de Psyché et de Cupidon de la fontaine". The engraving of the work was done by Louis Charles Ruotte. This French engraver and illustrator was trained in engraving by Noël Le Mire. He then left for London, where he trained in the stippling technique. He then returned to Paris. He exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1793. The production of this artist is important but of uneven quality. He is quite versatile: portraits, allegories, caricatures, genre scenes and vignettes. Dimensions of the frame: H: 44 cm W: 33 cm.