La Promenade du Matin
La Promenade du Matin is one of a pair of engravings appearing in Fragonard, Moreau le Jeune, and French engravers, etchers, and illustrators of the later XVIII century, a book published in 1913 documenting the best French engravers of the second half of the 18th century. The other print is entitled La Promenade du Soir, both based upon works by Sigmund Freudenberger (1745-1801), 18th century French artist who worked in Paris. The engraver was Charles Louis Lingee ( 1751-1819 ) who also worked in Paris as well as Berne.
The prints originally appeared in the Suite d'Estampes pour servir a l'Histoire des Moeurs et du Costume des Franqais dans le XVIIIe siecle (Paris 1774/5) produced by Jean Michel Moreau, considered by Hind as one of France's premier engravers. The publication was sponsored by Jean Henri Eberts, a Swiss banker, whose initials appear on the engraving we offer, reflecting the banker's involvement in the direction of Freudenberger's work.
The version of our print is of the earlier vintage and is quite a rare one to encounter. It features two ladies on their morning stroll passing a gentlemen and lady in courtly preoccupations. Beneath the engraving is an inscription. The artist and sponsor are noted in the lower left. The engraving is partially hand colored.
The print is framed with an older 19th C. frame which has a small 1" section of secondary framing missing. It is not readily noticeable.
Condition is very good with the exception of a small white discoloration in left margin, which under magnification appears to be paint.
This print is a rare treasure and find.
Dimension: 15 5/8" x 11 3/4"