Sanguine Effect Engravings, France, 18th Century

Two superb engravings of hand studies, imitating the manner of the sanguine pencil on laid paper.
This engraving process imitating the pencil was invented by an engraver of Flemish origin, Gilles Demarteau (1722-1776) who settled in Paris where he perfected this original technique which earned him a pension from the King in 1769.
The paternity of the process was disputed by other engravers including Louis Marin Bonnet, cited here, André Basset and Jacques Gautier d'Agoty.

The print presenting the Hand holding a stick was drawn by Blanchet as indicated by the mention "Blanchet delin." for "delinevit" or, "drawn by". This print was executed under the direction of Bonnet, as indicated by the mention "Bonnet direx", for "direxit" these two mentions appearing in the traditional manner, at the bottom of the sheet. In the center, we can read "In Paris, at Bonnet's, rue St Jacques", indicating that Bonnet, print dealer, was, at that time, on rue Saint Jacques and no longer on rue Galande where he was present from 1767 to 1772, as we saw written on our two other prints presenting Studies of feet, which we also present on this site. Louis-Marin Bonnet (1736 or 1743-1793) is the engraver and dealer who tried to appropriate the creation of the engraving technique imitating the sanguine crayon invented by Gilles Demarteau (1722-1776) of whom he was a student.

The engraving showing the Two hands, one open and the other on a stick, was drawn by the illustrious painter, precursor of neo-classicism, Joseph Marie Vien (1716-1809), as indicated by the mention on the left "Vien inv" for invenit, either created or invented by Vien. The mention at the bottom right: "Hackman Sc", "sc" for "sculpsit" tells us that the engraving was executed by the engraver Hackman and that the engraving can be found at a dealer on rue St Jacques.

Our two prints are sold together, €500 for the pair.

Beautiful modern frames in solid oak.