What defines 18th-century classical engravings?

18th-century classical engravings were created using copperplate printing techniques to reproduce original Renaissance and Baroque paintings, making classical art widely accessible to European collectors.

What materials were used to construct original 18th-century prints?

Original period prints were produced by hand-incising copper plates and pressing ink onto handmade laid rag paper, resulting in precise line detail and indented plate marks.

How can you identify authentic 18th-century engravings?

Authentic period engravings typically display visible plate impression borders in the paper, parallel chain lines from handmade paper moulds, and clean line work without halftone dot matrix patterns.

How do you style classical monochrome engravings in a modern interior?

Mount monochrome prints in slender black or dark wood frames to provide visual contrast on neutral walls, or group them together on a gallery wall alongside contemporary furnishings.

How should antique paper artwork be preserved?

Display antique paper away from direct sunlight and damp conditions, store behind UV-protective glass, and use acid-free archival mounts to avoid discolouration and deterioration.

for sale €35 $38

£30

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Pair of Antique Engravings

Id #SA1172902

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A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

Name: A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1172902
Price: 30 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Strickland & Russell

Description

Type of artwork: Antique Pair of Engravings – Le Concert & Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu

Surface: Laid paper, presented under a clean ivory mount

Artists and Engravers: After Giorgione and Annibale Carracci

Drawn by Sébastien Le Roy and Bourdon

Engraved by Chataigner, Villeroy, Queverdo, and Dambrun

Published as part of the École Italienne engraving series

Subjects: Le Concert — after Giorgione, depicting musicians and nymphs in a pastoral landscape, a masterful interpretation of Venetian High Renaissance sensuality. Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu — after Annibale Carracci, representing Hercules choosing between Virtue and Vice, a classical allegory of moral strength and temptation.

These engravings exemplify 18th-century French academic engraving, where leading draughtsmen and burin engravers translated Italian masterpieces for collectors and scholars. Each piece displays meticulous cross-hatching, tonal modulation, and fine linework typical of the period’s Cabinet des Estampes output.

Approximate age of artwork: Mid to late 18th Century

Is the artwork Framed or Mounted: Mounted (as shown) — ready for framing

Art Historical Context: Both scenes belong to the École Italienne series, printed in France during the 18th century.

“Le Concert” reflects Giorgione’s Venetian sensibility — soft tonal modelling, poetic nudes, and atmospheric composition.

“Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu” captures Carracci’s moral allegory through Renaissance idealism and anatomy, symbolising the human struggle between temptation and virtue.

Together, they showcase the influence of Italian Renaissance masters on French engraving and collecting culture.

Condition Report: Both engravings are in good condition with crisp impressions and rich tone. Slight, age-typical paper toning but no visible tears or creases. Newly mounted in acid-free ivory board, ready for display.

Size of each image: Each approx. 17cm x 13cm Mount size approx. 48 cm x 36 cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

48cm (18.90")

Width

36cm (14.17")

Declaration

Strickland & Russell has dated these 18th Century Antique Engravings to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1172902

Dealers Notes

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*Our prices include fully insured UK delivery. We are able to quote for International delivery upon request.

*Your purchased painting will be securely packaged and posted via Insured Royal Mail or Parcelforce delivery within 2 working days of receiving payment.

*We are happy to receive payment via the PayPal platform which accepts most debit and credit cards. Please contact us to enquire about other payment methods.

*If a painting is framed, the frame will be provided free of charge and we cannot offer any warranty for the condition or damage to a frame as a result of delivery. Original frames will have wear in line with age. We consider glass to be part of the frame, and as a restricted item is not warranted . Glass can be removed prior to shipping at the buyers request.

*In the unlikely event that you are not happy with your purchase, for any reason, we will always accept returns and offer a no quibble refund if notified within 14 days of receiving the item and returned to us in the same condition. The buyer is however, liable for the return postal charges.

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Description

Type of artwork: Antique Pair of Engravings – Le Concert & Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu

Surface: Laid paper, presented under a clean ivory mount

Artists and Engravers: After Giorgione and Annibale Carracci

fig 1. A pair of 18th-century black and white engravings depicting classical figures and mythological scenes set within a cream window mount. — fig 1. A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

Drawn by Sébastien Le Roy and Bourdon

Engraved by Chataigner, Villeroy, Queverdo, and Dambrun

Published as part of the École Italienne engraving series

“

Subjects: Le Concert — after Giorgione, depicting musicians and nymphs in a pastoral landscape, a masterful interpretation of Venetian High Renaissance sensuality.

Strickland & Russell

Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu — after Annibale Carracci, representing Hercules choosing between Virtue and Vice, a classical allegory of moral strength and temptation.

fig 2. A pair of 18th-century black and white engravings depicting classical figures and mythological scenes set within a cream window mount. — fig 2. A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

These engravings exemplify 18th-century French academic engraving, where leading draughtsmen and burin engravers translated Italian masterpieces for collectors and scholars. Each piece displays meticulous cross-hatching, tonal modulation, and fine linework typical of the period’s Cabinet des Estampes output.

fig 3. A pair of 18th-century black and white engravings depicting classical figures and mythological scenes set within a cream window mount. — fig 3. A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

Approximate age of artwork: Mid to late 18th Century

Is the artwork Framed or Mounted: Mounted (as shown) — ready for framing

Art Historical Context: Both scenes belong to the École Italienne series, printed in France during the 18th century.

fig 4. A pair of 18th-century black and white engravings depicting classical figures and mythological scenes set within a cream window mount. — fig 4. A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

“Le Concert” reflects Giorgione’s Venetian sensibility — soft tonal modelling, poetic nudes, and atmospheric composition.

“Hercule entre le Vice et la Vertu” captures Carracci’s moral allegory through Renaissance idealism and anatomy, symbolising the human struggle between temptation and virtue.

fig 5. A pair of 18th-century black and white engravings depicting classical figures and mythological scenes set within a cream window mount. — fig 5. A Pair of Original 18th Century Antique Engravings –Giorgione Le Concert & Carracci Hercule Entre Le Vertu

Together, they showcase the influence of Italian Renaissance masters on French engraving and collecting culture.

Condition Report: Both engravings are in good condition with crisp impressions and rich tone. Slight, age-typical paper toning but no visible tears or creases. Newly mounted in acid-free ivory board, ready for display.

Size of each image: Each approx. 17cm x 13cm Mount size approx. 48 cm x 36 cm