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This museum-quality original engraving by acclaimed French engraver Charles-Clément Bervic (1756–1822) titled La Demande Acceptée (The Request Granted) is a masterful work of neoclassical art. Created after a painting by Nicolas-Bernard Lépicié (1735–1784), the engraving circa late 1700s captures an intimate 18th-century French domestic scene in stunning detail.
The composition depicts a heartfelt marriage proposal: a young man formally asks for a young woman’s hand before her seated parents. The rustic interior is animated by multiple figures, including siblings, a dog, and subtle emotional gestures. The fine linework, depth, and light contrast highlight Bervic’s renowned technical mastery in intaglio engraving using the burin.
This rare print features a beautifully preserved coat of arms cartouche, dedicating the work to Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, adding aristocratic provenance and historical depth.
A refined addition to any collection of 18th-century French prints, antique engravings, or European art history.
Charles-Clément Balvay, known as Bervic, was one of the most important French engravers of the 18th century, celebrated for his exceptional skill with the burin technique. Born in Paris in 1756, Bervic began his training under Jean-Baptiste Le Prince. By age 18, he won first prize for drawing at the prestigious Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture, becoming a full member in 1784.
He is best known for his precise, expressive intaglio engravings reproducing works by masters such as Raphael, David, and Lépicié. In 1803, he became a founding member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. His works are held in the collections of the British Museum, Louvre, and Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Bervic’s engravings are prized for their clarity, elegant draftsmanship, and historical significance within French Neoclassicism.
Artist: Charles-Clément Balvay, dit Bervic (1756-1822).
Medium: Engraving, mounted on cardboard
Condition: Very good condition.
Dimensions: 63 x 73.5 cm. / 22 ¾ x 29 in. (sheet) / 50 x 62.7 cm. – 19 ¾ x 24 ½ in. (image).
Frame: 76 x 85 cm. / 30 x 33 ½ in. Gilt wood, matting and glass.
Origin: France.
