Bidspirit auction | A PAIR OF FRENCH ENGRAVED

A PAIR OF FRENCH ENGRAVED PASTORAL SCENES, FRANCE, PARIS, LATE 18TH CENTURY - A finely matched pair of hand-colored engravings depicting elegant pastoral musical gatherings in landscaped garden settings, emblematic of late 18th-century French goût pastoral and fêtes galantes imagery. The first print, titled La partie de Musique, depicts a refined outdoor musical assembly with elegantly dressed figures gathered near classical garden architecture. The composition is after Laurence Pina, with the engraving executed by Langlois le jeune, and bears the Paris publication line ”à Paris chez Basan frères, marchands d’estampes, rue et hôtel Serpente”, identifying the well-known Basan brothers’ print shop, active in the second half of the 18th century. The companion print, titled Le Concert agréable, shows a complementary pastoral scene with musicians and listeners arranged in a wooded landscape. It is engraved by C. N. Varin after Laurence Pina, and published in Paris by Vidal, graveur du Roi, rue des Noyers no. 29, further anchoring the work within the established Parisian print trade of the period. Both engravings are delicately hand-colored, enhancing the textiles, foliage, and architectural elements, and are presented in matching giltwood frames with richly molded borders. Each is mounted with multi-layered mats featuring hand-drawn ink and watercolor lines, consistent with high-quality 19th-century or early 20th-century French framing practices. The backs retain old backing boards and hanging hardware, indicating long-standing framed presentation. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions offers in-house shipping. In case we can not accommodate a shipping request, a list of additional shippers will be provided. Dimensions: 12 1/2 x 14 1/2 in., (31.8 x 36.8 cm.) Condition: Overall good condition for age. Light toning and scattered foxing consistent with 18th-century paper. Colors remain attractive and balanced. Frames with minor wear, surface rubbing, and small losses commensurate with age.