Suite Of Four Allegorical Engravings – 17th Century

Etching enhanced with watercolor – Collection of fashions of the French court Set of four etchings, finely enhanced with watercolor, from the Collection of fashions of the French court, an emblematic publication of the second half of the 17th century. This iconographic corpus bears witness to the customs, allegorical representations and the sartorial imagination within the court under Louis XIV. Each figure embodies a profession or a character in a theatrical, sometimes satirical treatment, illustrating the links between the art of costume, court ballet, and masquerade. • Sautetier's Habit: costume composed of trade utensils, in reference to the world of artisans, in the spirit of so-called "grotesque" costumes. • Sculptor's Habit: silhouette dressed in a garment decorated with masks and tools, emphasizing the allegorical character of the artist's figure. • Crispin: a character from the theatrical tradition, close to the commedia dell'arte. He is accompanied by printed verses, characteristic of the entertainment prints of this period. • Endimion's habit from the ballet The Triumph of Love: a figure inspired by a royal ballet, dressed in a refined habit with symbolic decoration, emblematic of court theater. The engravings include engraved captions, some bearing the mention of designers or engravers such as Jean Berain. Mounted in period gilded frames, in carved wood.