Oeuvres de P.J. Bernard, ornées de gravures d'après les desseins de Prud'hon, 1797

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Published in 1797 by the renowned Paris-based publisher Pierre Didot l'aine, this deluxe volume of Gentil Bernard's love poetry features a series of four engraved illustrations designed by the French Romantic master Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758–1823). Best known for his allegorical paintings, drawings, and interior decorations, Prud'hon was widely admired for his distinctive style of realism and dramatic use of chiaroscuro learned from studying Leonardo da Vinci's paintings and frescos during a lengthy visit to Italy.

Though his style was in conflict with the prevailing Neoclassical school led by Jacques-Louis David, Prud'hon's visions of the antique ideal would eventually bring him fame and fortune. In the wake of the French Revolution of 1789, Prud'hon faced difficulties selling his paintings. To fend off poverty, he accepted a number of commissions for book illustrations, including those for the present volume. For three of the plates, Prud'hon relied on professional engravers to interpret his designs; he engraved the fourth plate himself. It is this fourth engraving, an erotically-charged design for the second poem, Phrosine et Mélidore, that is often cited as Prud'hon's graphic masterpiece.

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Details
Title
Oeuvres de P.J. Bernard, ornées de gravures d'après les desseins de Prud'hon
Artist Life
1758–1823
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.27
Provenance
Ruth and Bruce Dayton, Wayzata, Minn.
Catalogue Raisonne
Portalis & Beraldi III.358; Sander 124; Brunet I, 795; Cohen/de Ricci 33: Ray, French, 75
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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