Louis Marin: Pair Of Engravings In Imitation Of Drawing. 1774

Remarkable pair of engravings, with subjects typical of the Louis XV period (the milkmaid and the young girl with a cup of coffee) by Louis Marin, in imitation of drawing. He distributed in his shop on rue Saint Jacques, works notably taken from Boucher. Louis Marin Bonnet (1736-1793), a student of Desmarteau, invented an engraving process, imitating drawing, even pastel or watercolor, using several engraved plates, in order to create the illusion. The process, requiring several operations, was very expensive, he was led to simplify it. Here, in addition to the watercolor colors, we have an astonishing gilded frame which is therefore very original. They are dated 1774, and clearly for the English market or sacrificed to the Anglomania which was spreading at that time. A fun little detail: the young girl, to drink her coffee, pours it into the saucer as was customary in the 18th century, to remove the grounds. This is why the saucers are taller than today, or they no longer have this function. Lovely pitch pine frames, mounted with keys, accompany them. The whole has a very nice decorative effect.