A captivating 19th-century French engraving that beautifully captures the serenity and intimacy of the Rococo revival. Two young women rest beneath a tree beside a flowing fountain — one strums a lute while the other listens, her hand gently brushing a bouquet of gathered blooms. It’s the essence of French romanticism: art, leisure, and the beauty of an unhurried life.

This genuine copperplate engraving dates to the mid-1800s, a period when artists and printmakers in Paris rediscovered the charm of Fragonard and Boucher’s 18th-century pastoral scenes. Unlike modern reproductions, this piece was printed on true rag paper, made from cotton and linen fibers that give it a soft, almost velvety surface. Under magnification, you can see the fibers — a clear sign of quality and age.

Time has lent the paper its patina du siècle: warm toning, faint foxing, and oxidation that whisper of centuries past. These gentle stains aren’t flaws; they’re the quiet signature of authenticity that only true antique paper acquires after more than 150 years behind glass.

The cross-hatched border surrounding the oval scene is entirely engraved by hand — each line cut with a burin into a copper plate, then inked and pressed into dampened paper, leaving the slightest embossment (called a plate mark) that collectors prize. The result is an image that feels alive with texture and depth, far richer than any later photomechanical print could ever achieve.

Presented in a simple gilt frame with a beaded inner edge, likely added in the 1970s or 1980s to preserve and modernize the work without disturbing its original matting. The overall effect remains utterly French — refined, warm, and timeless.

Dimensions

Framed: approx. 14½" x 17½"
Visible image: approx. 10" x 12¾"

⚠️ Château Policy – This piece is timeless, not flawless and has been collected with care:

🇫🇷 Vintage and antique items will show the natural patina and wear of their age.
⚜️ Due to the uniqueness of our inventory, all sales are final. Please do not hesitate to ask the assistant if you have a question about something before purchasing.
🇫🇷 FREE SHIPPING WITH ALL ORDERS. Please inquire via The Assistant to arrange international shipping.

💡 Styling tip: Hang this in a music room, salon, or bedroom where candlelight can catch the gilt frame and the warm tone of the aged paper. It brings with it the hush of a French afternoon and the romantic soul of another century.