Nicolas de Launay, “La Bonne Mère”, 1779, after Fragonard

Nicolas de Launay (1739–1792)

“La Bonne Mère” (The Good Mother), 1779

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on wove paper, hand-coloured with watercolour—possibly from the time of printing.

This work belongs to a series depicting domestic scenes that celebrate maternal virtues, family happiness, and the importance of motherhood—an especially popular theme in late 18th-century French art. The engraving is based on a painting by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806) and features an inscription dedicated to François-Marie Ménage de Pressigny (c. 1733–1794), a wealthy French financier and tax farmer-general who owned the original painting. The inscription also identifies Fragonard as “Peintre du Roi” (Painter to the King) and Nicolas de Launay as “Graveur du Roi” (Engraver to the King).

Interestingly, Fragonard’s original painting was not titled “La Bonne Mère.” This name was created specifically for the print, and due to its popularity, it eventually became associated with the original artwork as well. At the time, this print enjoyed significant commercial success and remains one of the most well-known prints linked to Fragonard.

The impression is strong and well-printed, with wide margins as issued. The delicate hand-colouring remains unfaded despite the age of the print. Aside from a few minor bumps and subtle age-toning, the sheet is in excellent condition.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 66.6 x 51.2 cm
• Platemark (soft): 58.8 x 44.1 cm
• Image borderline: 57.1 x 42.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Lower border: “Fragonard Pinxit 1779. De Launay Sculpsit.”
• Lower left: “Peint par Fragonard”
• Lower centre (title): “LA BONNE M[È]RE.”, flanked by a central coat of arms
• Lower centre (dedication): “Gravée d’après le […] Tableau de Fragonard / Par […] De Launay.”
• Lower centre (address): “à Paris chez De Launay […] Graveur du Roy, rue et porte S^t. Jacques N^o. 112. cm
• Lower right: “par N. De Launay”

References:

• IFF 196.II; Portalis 34
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/369389   
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0812-5596

Price & Shipping:

AU$343 (approximately US$234.97 / €204.40 / £177.55), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this large and renowned Rococo print—a quintessential vision of family happiness capturing a mother washing her daughter’s face in a park—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to provide a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.

Cornelis Visscher II, “Shepherdess on a Donkey,” c. 1655, after Nicolaes Berchem

Cornelis Visscher II (1628/9–1658)

“Shepherdess on a Donkey,” c. 1655 (1650–1660)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving and etching on buff laid paper with a partial watermark, trimmed close to the platemark. 

This print is based on a design by Nicolaes Berchem (also known as Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem) (1620–1683). A related drawing by Berchem is housed in Leiden. It is the second plate in the series “Rolling Landscapes” or “Landscapes after Nicolaes Berchem.” This impression is from the second of two states, distinguished by the addition of the plate number. 

The impression is strong and well-printed, with no signs of wear to the printing plate. There is an ink notation by an old hand on the reverse (verso) of the sheet. Overall, the sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 27.1 x 21.5 cm
• Platemark: 26.8 x 21.3 cm
• Image borderline: 26.2 x 20.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper-left corner: “Berghem Delinea / C. Visscher f.”
• Lower-right corner: “2”

References:

• Hollstein 69 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: Cornelis de Visscher, Cornelis Visscher, Hendrick Jansz Visscher, Lambert Visscher,” vol. XL, 1992, Roosendaal, Koninklijke van Poll, p. 176, cat. no. 69)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200270354  
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_F-2-23  

Price & Shipping:

AU$266 (approximately US$182.83 / €158.84 / £137.87), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this peaceful pastoral scene from the Dutch Golden Age—note how the raking (possibly morning) light is used to render the contours of the figures with remarkable three-dimensionality, set against a broader treatment of tones in the background—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send a PayPal invoice for a smooth, secure transaction.

This print has been sold

Isaak Major, “Chapel at the River”, c. 1610, after Pieter Stevens II

Isaak Major (also known as Issak Mayor) (c. 1576–1630)

“Chapel at the River,” circa 1610 (1586–1630)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper trimmed close to the platemark.

This print is based on a drawing by Pieter Stevens II (c. 1567–after 1626), (see this drawing online in the Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200118785), from the series “Ten Landscapes”, published by Marco Sadeler (fl.1660s).

The impression is strong, and well-printed, showing no signs of wear to the printing plate. The left margin has been replenished beyond the platemark, and the sheet is professionally supported on tissue-thin archival (Kozo) washi paper.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 24.2 x 18.5 cm
• Image borderline: 22.8 x 17.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Marco Sadeler excudit.”

References:

• Hollstein 18 (FWH Hollstein, “German engravings, etchings and woodcuts c.1400–1700: Erasmus Loy to Jakob Mayr,” vol. 23, p. 176, cat. no. 18)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200228335

Price & Shipping:

AU$402 (approximately US$276.30 / €240.05 / £208.37), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this sublime landscape—an evocative example of German Mannerism, with an almost electric stormy energy that captures the spirit of the period—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send a PayPal invoice for a smooth, secure transaction.  

Frederik Bloemaert, “An Old Beggar”, c.1650, after Abraham Bloemaert

Frederik Bloemaert (1610–1669)

“An Old Beggar” (“Oude bedelaar”), c.1650 (1635–1669)

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper featuring a Foolscap watermark. The sheet has been trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and professionally supported on tissue-thin archival (Kozo) washi paper. 

This print is based on a drawing by the artist’s father, Abraham Bloemaert (1564–1651). It is the second plate from the series of 30 engravings (“The Little Figures” / “De Kleine Figuren”), catalogued as Roethlisberger 322–350. 

The impression is strong, crisp, and well-printed, showing no signs of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 12.6 x 8 cm
• Image Borderline: 12.1 x 7.7 cm

In-Plate Numbering:

• Lower left corner: “2”

References:

• Roethlisberger 322 (Marcel G. Roethlisberger, “Abraham Bloemaert and His Sons: Paintings and Prints”, vol. 1, 1993, Davaco, Doornspuk, p. 240, cat. no. 322)
• Hollstein Dutch 157 (FWH Hollstein, “Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts ca. 1450-1700: Berckheyde–Bodding”, vol. 2, 1950, Amsterdam, Menno Hertzberger, p. 87, cat. nos. 156–185)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200447064

Price & Shipping:

AU$239 (approximately US$164.74 / €142.85 / £123.61), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this remarkably fine engraving of a beggar—an image reflecting a time when motives of beggars were often explored, with rascal beggars depicted looking back at their troubled origins and carrying bulging satchels, whereas genuine beggars looked ahead and bore no spoils of misadventure—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will be happy to send a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure transaction.

This print has been sold