French Baroque Style Copperplate Engraving, 'Le Roy part pour la guerre d’Allemagne' (The King Departs for the War in Germany)
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Glossary Roundup
Original Presentation Script
Let’s look at this French Baroque Style copperplate engraving, titled in the margin ‘Le Roy part pour la guerre d’Allemagne’—the King departing for the war in Germany. It captures a courtly farewell: the queen and a young prince receive the king’s adieu beneath a grand, classical arch, with halberds bristling in the wings. Scenes like this were popular in France, likely referencing Louis XIII taking leave of Anne of Austria and the infant Dauphin.
Historically, such images broadcast royal virtue and dynastic continuity, and by the late 18th to early 19th century they were widely engraved for collectors and salons.
Technically, this is intaglio: dense cross‑hatching, a visible plate mark, and what appears to be laid paper all signal copperplate engraving rather than a later photo process.
Condition tells a longer story—foxing, toning, and small surface losses, plus a later, non‑archival frame. These honest signs of age lower the price but not the charm.
Authenticity? I’d place it at 60% for being a period intaglio impression rather than a modern reproduction—convincing, but I’d like a watermark or verso view to be firmer. Auction-wise, in this state, expect roughly $100 to $250. A cleaner, signed impression could go higher. A regal goodbye that still makes a strong historical hello.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
French Baroque Style Copperplate Engraving, 'Le Roy part pour la guerre d’Allemagne' (The King Departs for the War in Germany)
By:Unknown engraver; after a 17th‑century court painting (likely Louis XIII taking leave of the Queen and Dauphin)
Materials:Intaglio copperplate engraving on laid paper; later varnished wooden frame and glazing
Age:circa 1800–1830 (late 18th to early 19th century impression)
Condition:Fair (overall toning, foxing, scattered surface abrasions and losses; later non-archival framing)
Value:$100–$250 (auction, as-is condition)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Lower margin with engraved French title and descriptive paragraph; individual signatures not legible in the photo.
Date:2025-11-04 10:58:22.397789
Description:
Large French historical engraving with long caption reading 'Le Roy part pour la guerre d’Allemagne.' Scene shows a queen with attendants and a young prince taking leave of an armored king before an architectural backdrop, flanked by halberdiers. Executed in dense line engraving with cross‑hatching on laid paper, presented in a later wooden frame with glass.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
Well-composed French historical print, probably an early 19th‑century impression after a 17th‑century model. The French caption and evident plate mark suggest a copper engraving rather than a later photomechanical copy. Paper shows age with toning and foxing. A word about fakes.. historical prints are frequently seen as late restrikes or photogravures; careful inspection for laid paper, a plate mark, and any watermark helps separate period intaglio from later reproductions.
Individual Images:
none
Provenance:
No documentation provided.
Condition:
Fair (overall toning, foxing, scattered surface abrasions and losses; later non-archival framing)
Identification Score: 85%
Title visible in French; iconography and technique align with French historical engravings after court paintings. Exact engraver not legible, but object type is clear.
Authenticity Score: 60%
The laid paper look, plate mark, and foxing point to an older intaglio print, but without watermark/verso photos it could be a 19th‑century restrike; hence a moderate score.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
French engraving, Baroque style, historical print, Louis XIII, Guerre d’Allemagne, copperplate, intaglio, France
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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