Neptune Orders Aeolus To Calm The Waves, Print On Paper – Bernard Picart, 18th Century

Large print on paper depicting Neptune ordering Aeolus to calm the waves, a mythological scene from the decoration of the vault of the Grand Gallery of the Palais-Royal. This spectacular composition was engraved by Bernard Picart after the painting by Antoine Coypel, First Painter to the King and Painter to the Regent, the Duke of Orléans. The scene illustrates the omnipotence of Neptune, god of the seas, mastering the raging elements, surrounded by allegorical figures and marine deities. The composition, of great decorative scope, is characteristic of the grand official French art of the early 18th century. Picart's engraving is distinguished by the finesse of his burin, the precision of the drawing, and the mastery of contrasts, fully capturing the dynamism and depth of the original work. This print is part of the series representing the paintings on the vault of the Grand Gallery of the Palais-Royal. A copy is held in the collections of the National Library of France, Prints and Photography Department. Visible inscriptions: – lower left: “Painted by Mr. Coypel, Esquire, First Painter to the King and His Royal Highness Monseigneur the Duke of Orleans, Regent of the Kingdom. / In Paris at Tardieu’s, rue des Noyers, opposite rue des Anglais” – lower center: “QVOS EGO / One of the paintings on the vault of the grand gallery of the Palais Royal” – lower right: “JM Natier del. B. Picart Sculpsit 1717” A decorative and historical work, ideal for lovers of antique prints, classical mythology and 18th-century French art, as well as for collectors of works related to the Palais-Royal and royal iconography.