Allégorie des Ecoles gratuites du dessein (Allegory of the Free Drawing Schools)

1751, reworked in 1766

Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin

Associated Names
Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Artist, French, 1724 - 1780

This is a detailed etching of an allegorical scene featuring cherubs and classic architecture. The scene depicts ornate architectural structures with columns in the background, surrounded by playful and dynamic cherubs interacting with each other. Some cherubs are holding wreaths or decorative elements. In the center, there is a draped female figure holding a lyre. The setting suggests themes of music and art, exuding a sense of celebration and grandeur. The drawing style is meticulous and intricate, with elaborate lines and shading creating depth and dimension.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching reworked with graphite and black ink on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 17.9 × 13.3 cm (7 1/16 × 5 1/4 in.)
    plate: 16.7 × 12.7 cm (6 9/16 × 5 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1958.8.138

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Dacier 1914, no. 5, State ii/iii

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1914

  • Dacier, Emile. L'oeuvre grave de Gabriel de Saint-Aubin; notice biographique et catalogue raisonne. Paris: Societe pour l'Etude de la Gravure Francaise, 1914.

Inscriptions

recto: in plate, in image, at lower left: No 600 [over which is written in black ink "1500"] / dot 300 [over which is written in black ink an indecipherable word]; in plate, in image, at lower right: G de S aubin invenit [on smoothing plane]; in plate, below image: ALLEGORIE DE MARIAGES FAITS PAR LA VILLE [over which has been written, in black ink: L'ALLÉGORIE DES ÉCOLES GRATUITES DE DESSein] / de paris. à la naissance de mgnr le duc de bourgogne en 1751 [over which has been written, in black ink: établies...à la Sollicitation de mr bachelier adjoint a professeur de l'academie R / 1766]; at bottom in graphite: les genie des diferents arts alluminent leur flambeaux a Celui du [indecipherable] 1766; verso: none

Markings

recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65224485

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