France Crowned with Victory by Louis XIV

1690s(?)

François Verdier

Associated Names
François Verdier

Artist, French, 1651 - 1730

This is a drawing filled with classical elements and allegorical figures. It features various characters engaging in activities like writing, reading, and presenting or crowning. Surrounding them are symbolic elements such as laurel wreaths, musical instruments, and mythological motifs. The central part of the image shows a framed scene of a grand hall with more figures possibly reenacting a historic or allegorical moment. The figures have muscular physiques and are intertwined in a dynamic pose, typical of Baroque-style engravings. One figure at the bottom left has wings and a scythe, possibly symbolizing the passage of time. The drawing evokes themes from mythology or classical literature.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper [artist's working proof]

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 38.4 × 252 cm (15 1/8 × 99 3/16 in.), cut within platemark

  • Accession Number

    2015.109.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Robert-Dumesnil 1967, undesc


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Paul Prouté, S.A., Paris); purchased 2015 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1967

  • Robert-Dumesnil, A.P.F. Le peintre-graveur francais, ou catalogue raisonne des estampes gravees par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'ecole francaise, ouvrage faisant suite au peintre-graveur de M. Bartsch. Reprint (11 vols. in 6). Paris: F. deNobe: undesc

Inscriptions

on verso in graphite, possibly in the hand of Prosper de Baudicour: 1er état avant l'inscription au bas de la tapisserie / avan tle nom de Verdier sur la faux du Temps / épreuve unique, avant la tête de l'amour à droite terminé (rarissime); by later hand, upper left verso in brown ink: S9

Wikidata ID

Q77015664

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