La Prééminence de la France reconnue par l'Espagne 1662 (The Preeminance of France Recognized by Spain 1662) [pl. 17]

published 1752

Jean-Baptiste Massé (designer) and Bernard Lépicié (engraver) after Charles Le Brun

Associated Names
Jean-Baptiste Massé

Artist, French, 1687 - 1767

Bernard Lépicié

Engraver, French, 1698 - 1755

Charles Le Brun

Artist After, French, 1619 - 1690

This is a drawing featuring ornate classical figures and motifs. The image includes an elaborate architectural and decorative composition with an oval medallion at its center. Within the medallion, a scene depicts multiple classical figures in drapery surrounding a reclining lion. Outside the medallion, two bearded figures stand draped in fabric on each side. Above the medallion is a decorative crest with a human face, wings, floral garlands, and two cherubic figures. The architecture includes classical columns and ornate embellishments, with an inscription at the base reading "La Prééminence de la France reconnue par l'Espagne 1602."

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of David H. McDonnell

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 64 × 46.2 cm (25 3/16 × 18 3/16 in.)
    plate: 48.8 × 30.3 cm (19 3/16 × 11 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.142.1.21

Associated Artworks

See all 56 artworks
The image shows a half-length portrait of a seated man named Jean Baptiste Massé. He is facing slightly towards the viewer in a formal posture. He has a round face, wavy shoulder-length hair, and a subtle smile. He is dressed in an elaborate coat with large buttons and lace cuffs, along with a lace cravat. In his hand, he holds a large rolled sheet of paper with intricate designs. Beside him is an ornate table with art supplies and tools. The background includes a classical sculpture figure and a patterned wall or tapestry.

Jean Baptiste Massé

Johann Georg Wille

1755

This is a photograph of a historical title page. The page shows a printed text announcing a work titled "La Grande Galerie de Versailles, et les deux Salons qui l'accompagnent," credited to Charles Le Brun, with designs by Jean-Baptiste Massé and engraving by artists supervised by Le Brun. The page features a central decorative emblem, a detailed crest surrounded by foliage. The text is laid out elegantly, with various font sizes and styles, and indicates Paris as the place of printing by the Royal Printer in 1752. The background has a slightly aged appearance, typical of old paper.

La Grande Galerie de Versailles, et les deux salons qui l'accompagnent (The Grand Gallery of Versailles and Two Accompanying Salons)

Jean-Baptiste Massé, Johann Georg Wille, Various Artists

1752

Développemens de la décoration intérieure, et des Peintres du plafond de la Galerie de Versailles (Plan of the Interior Decoration and Ceiling Paintings in the Versailles Gallery)

Jean-Baptiste Massé, Andrew Lawrence, Charles-Nicolas Cochin II

1752

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Dyson Perrins Museum Trust (stamp). R.W. Burns (bookplate). David H. McDonnell, Arlington, VA; gift to NGA, 2015.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

In plate: LL: Peint par Ch. Le Brun et dessiné par J.B. Massé; LR: Gravé par Lepicié

Wikidata ID

Q77112736

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