Water (The Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite). Forth plate in a four-plate series entitled “The Four Elements” by Louis de Boullogne. Image analysis: Amphitrite is removed by force by Neptune and despite this marries him in full accord. On the right, a piece of coral and other wedding presents are displayed on a shell. The indomitable horses represent the still recent rapture. Turned toward Neptune with a calm expression, Amphitrite provides her consent.
Inscription content: Lettered with production detail: ‘Lud. de Bollogne inv. Et Prinxit – L. Desplaces sculp.1718’, publication address: ‘a Paris chez la Veuve Chereau ruë St. Jacques aux deux pilliers d’Or A.P.D.R.’, title and inscription in Latin with translation in French.
Louis Desplaces, a French engraver, was born in Paris in 1682 and died in the same city in 1739, at age fifty-seven. He produced several engravings, his most famous being : “Fastes des puissances voisines” de la France (1702) after Charles Le Brun, “Le Feu” (1717) & “L’Eau” (1718) after Louis de Boullogne, and the “Portrait of mademoiselle Duclos de Chateauneuf” (1714), famous actress, after Nicolas de Largillière.
Artist: Louis Desplaces, after Louis de Boullogne.
Medium: Engraving.
Condition: Very good condition.
Dimensions: Image 45 x 55.2 cm. / 17 3/4 x 21 3/4 in.
Frame: 61 x 78 cm. / 24 x 30 3/4 in. Original. Gilt wood and stucco.
Provenance: Spain.