Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Molière – after Coypel, Engraved by Lépicié (19th Century Sanguine Etching)

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A finely executed 19th-century etching and engraving in sanguine of the French playwright Jean-Baptiste Molière (1622–1673), engraved by Nicolas Bernard … Read more A finely executed 19th-century etching and engraving in sanguine of the French playwright Jean-Baptiste Molière (1622–1673), engraved by Nicolas Bernard Lépicié (1735–1784) after the original painting by Charles-Antoine Coypel (1694–1752). This richly detailed portrait shows Molière seated at a desk with quill and paper, his thoughtful gaze turned upward, embodying the creative force behind some of the greatest works in French literature.

Published by Eudes, Paris, this plate comes from the celebrated series of illustrations created for the Oeuvres de Molière. Originally engraved in 1734, the series was based on chalk and wash drawings by François Boucher, with notable holdings today in the Bibliothèque nationale de France and Kristineholm Castle, Sweden.

Printed in warm sanguine ink, this impression retains beautiful tonal contrast and classic French elegance. The plate is signed "Ch. Coypel p." and "Lépicié Sculp."

Medium: Etching and engraving in sanguine on laid paper
Publisher: Eudes, Paris
Production Date: 19th century
Plate size: 25.2 × 17.5 cm (approx. 9.9 × 6.9 in)
Sheet size: 36.5 × 25 cm (approx. 14.4 × 9.8 in)
Condition: Fair to good. Visible foxing throughout the sheet, particularly around the margins, as shown in the images. Image area remains crisp and well preserved. See less