[ROCOCCO]
LE PAUTRE, JEAN
Vases d'Ornemens. Nouvellment inventez at gravez par... Paris: chez N. Langlois, [ca. 1665]. Outstanding rich dark impressions of the first issue of this suite. Plates loosely tipped into a handsome blue three-quarters morocco album. Six etched and engraved ornamental floral plates by and after Le Pautre, title platemark 229 x 140 mm, remaining platemarks approximately 207 x 142 mm. A few pinholes in the upper margin, probably where sewn, plates numbered in ink at lower right in an early hand, generally very fine copies.
These are richly imaginative ornament prints by one of the masters of pure ornament design, a creator of the Louis XIV style. The plates show ornate neoclassical vases from which emerge symmetrically scrolling foliage, arabesques, bouquets, festoons, vines, brocades, ribbons, etc. The base of the first vase bears the title; all six etchings are signed by Le Pautre with the above imprint. Two of the etchings show double vertical images of half vases, and a third shows two half vases plus three small ornamental compartments. The vases themselves are ornamented with classical and grotesque friezes, a cameo portrait, coquillages and sculpted flowers; one is supported by a pair of fantastical birds, another by a dog-like creature, a third by Bacchus; the title etching shows two putti leaning on the base and sketching a vase, while in the background three figures admire a drawing. A lovely set, with brilliant dark impressions and the original imprint (erased in later issues). Inventaire du Fonds Francais, nos. 1992-1997. Cf. Thieme-Becker 23:96; cf. Guilmard. pp. 68-76.