What is a classical landscape engraving from this era?

A classical landscape engraving from this era is a fine art print created by incising a composition into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Popularised by works after artists like Nicolas Poussin, these prints depicted mythological or biblical narratives within idealised natural settings.

What materials were traditionally used in antique fine art engravings?

Traditional antique engravings were printed using carbon-based inks onto handmade cotton or linen rag paper. These works were subsequently mounted behind protective glass and framed in natural timber or gilt wood to shield the paper substrate from degradation.

How do you identify an authentic antique engraving?

Authentic antique engravings feature a distinct plate mark, which is a indented rectangular impression left by the metal plate during pressing. Under magnification, the lines appear continuous and raised, lacking the dot matrix structure found in modern photomechanical reproductions.

How can an antique landscape engraving be styled in a modern interior?

An antique landscape engraving can be positioned above a sideboard or fireplace mantel to anchor a room scheme. Positioning dark framed monochromatic prints against neutral or deep-toned walls creates a structured focal point within traditional and eclectic interiors.

How should antique framed paper prints be cleaned and preserved?

Paper artwork should be kept away from direct sunlight, excess humidity, and fluctuating temperatures to prevent foxing and fading. Glazing should be dusted using a dry microfibre cloth, avoiding liquid sprays that could seep into the frame.

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Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Name: Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1223554
Price: 375 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Whites Antiques

Description

Engraving of Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Origin:

Engraving: Executed by renowned French engraver Jean Pesne around 1690 in Paris, as part of the prestigious Cabinet du Roy series.

Painting: Nicolas Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth and Boaz), part of his iconic Four Seasons series, created between 1660 and 1664 and now housed in the Louvre.

Art Movement: Classicism

Design: Poussin’s original masterwork features a serene pastoral scene imbued with divine providence and human dignity. The engraving mirrors this ideal with its balanced composition, detailed rendering of figures, and the interplay of light and shadow that captures the biblical encounter between Ruth and Boaz.

Transformation: The piece evolves from an oil-on-canvas original into a finely detailed copperplate print by combining traditional techniques - beginning with heavy lines etched through an eau-forte process and refined by the burin to enhance every nuance of texture and tone.

Materials: Engraving: Copperplate print using acid etching and precision engraving

Dimensions: Height: 73 cm (28.7") | Width: 88 cm (34.6")

Painting: 118cm (46.5") x 160cm (63") cm on display Musée du Louvre, Paris

Original Engraving Image: Approximately 43cm (16.9") x 59cm (23.2") on a sheet of about 63cm (24.8") x 90cm (35.4")

Historical & Cultural Context

Before the era of social media and rapid digital sharing, art served as a profound channel for cultural dialogue and historical reflection. Nicolas Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth and Boaz) is a testament to this ethos - a deeply symbolic work bridging the biblical narrative of Ruth and Boaz with the aesthetic ideals of Classicism. Commissioned into the French royal collection and later celebrated by Louis XIV, the painting resonates with themes of divine providence, resilience, and harmonious balance.

Jean Pesne’s engraving plays an equally pivotal role. Executed as part of an official royal project, his work disseminated Poussin’s vision far beyond the confines of the Louvre, making classical art accessible to scholars, artists, and enthusiasts across Europe. This engraving is not only an artistic replica but also a cultural artifact that continues to educate and inspire, preserving the integrity of a time when every brushstroke and etched line carried immense social and spiritual significance.

Physical Dimensions

Height

73cm (28.74")

Width

88cm (34.65")

Declaration

Whites Antiques has dated this Framed Poussin Landscape Engraving to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1223554

Dealers Internal Reference

WA129

Dealers Notes

We do not include delivery in our prices as this is dependent upon many factors such as whether it is mainland or overseas. The following options are available to you:-

• You can arrange your own collection from our address

• You can fill in the delivery request option

• You can email us for further information if there is more than one item

• Proovia Delivery offer a 2 man delivery system

Description

Engraving of Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Origin:

“

Engraving: Executed by renowned French engraver Jean Pesne around 1690 in Paris, as part of the prestigious Cabinet du Roy series.

Whites Antiques

fig 1. A framed monochrome engraving depicting a classical harvest landscape scene with figures working in a field beneath trees, enclosed in a dark wood frame. — fig 1. Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Painting: Nicolas Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth and Boaz), part of his iconic Four Seasons series, created between 1660 and 1664 and now housed in the Louvre.

Art Movement: Classicism

Design: Poussin’s original masterwork features a serene pastoral scene imbued with divine providence and human dignity. The engraving mirrors this ideal with its balanced composition, detailed rendering of figures, and the interplay of light and shadow that captures the biblical encounter between Ruth and Boaz.

fig 2. A framed monochrome engraving depicting a classical harvest landscape scene with figures working in a field beneath trees, enclosed in a dark wood frame. — fig 2. Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Transformation: The piece evolves from an oil-on-canvas original into a finely detailed copperplate print by combining traditional techniques - beginning with heavy lines etched through an eau-forte process and refined by the burin to enhance every nuance of texture and tone.

fig 3. A framed monochrome engraving depicting a classical harvest landscape scene with figures working in a field beneath trees, enclosed in a dark wood frame. — fig 3. Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Materials: Engraving: Copperplate print using acid etching and precision engraving

Dimensions: Height: 73 cm (28.7") | Width: 88 cm (34.6")

Painting: 118cm (46.5") x 160cm (63") cm on display Musée du Louvre, Paris

fig 4. A framed monochrome engraving depicting a classical harvest landscape scene with figures working in a field beneath trees, enclosed in a dark wood frame. — fig 4. Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Original Engraving Image: Approximately 43cm (16.9") x 59cm (23.2") on a sheet of about 63cm (24.8") x 90cm (35.4")

Historical & Cultural Context

Before the era of social media and rapid digital sharing, art served as a profound channel for cultural dialogue and historical reflection. Nicolas Poussin’s The Summer (Ruth and Boaz) is a testament to this ethos - a deeply symbolic work bridging the biblical narrative of Ruth and Boaz with the aesthetic ideals of Classicism. Commissioned into the French royal collection and later celebrated by Louis XIV, the painting resonates with themes of divine providence, resilience, and harmonious balance.

fig 5. A framed monochrome engraving depicting a classical harvest landscape scene with figures working in a field beneath trees, enclosed in a dark wood frame. — fig 5. Engraving of Poussin’s the Summer (Ruth & Boaz): A Timeless 17th Century Treasure

Jean Pesne’s engraving plays an equally pivotal role. Executed as part of an official royal project, his work disseminated Poussin’s vision far beyond the confines of the Louvre, making classical art accessible to scholars, artists, and enthusiasts across Europe. This engraving is not only an artistic replica but also a cultural artifact that continues to educate and inspire, preserving the integrity of a time when every brushstroke and etched line carried immense social and spiritual significance.