Antique French Engraving in Frame with Glass — Louis XIV Style (5357)

Height: 81.5 cm Width: 65.5 cm

A snapshot from the Romantic era, Alexandre Dumas: It was a late and quiet evening in a Parisian study, where the steady scratching of a quill against paper was broken only by the crackling of logs in the fireplace. The writer momentarily set aside his inkwell, allowing his thoughts to wander among the historical intrigues and courtly secrets he so passionately brought to life in his stories. His gaze lifted from the massive desk, where a delicate work of art shimmered in the dim candlelight – an antique engraving, encased in an expressive frame of dark tortoiseshell pattern and gold.

Beneath the glass, the precise, filigree strokes of the master brought the golden age of Versailles to life – King Louis XIV, looking with undisguised tenderness at his new favourite, Louise de La Vallière, as she shyly selected a lily flower. The elegant, aristocratic frame surrounding the artwork reflected the flickering flames, creating a deep and mysterious interplay between the brilliance of the gold and the warm, autumnal brown texture of the frame. It seemed as if a cocktail of ancient garden scents and expensive powder wafted through the room, seamlessly blending with the aroma of old paper and ink.

He stood up, approached, and lightly ran his fingertips over the gilded, finely chased edge of the frame, feeling its solid historical stability. This visual narrative was not merely an elegant decorative element on the wall; it was a silent and inexhaustible source of inspiration, holding the very essence of royal romance and grandeur. The writer smiled with satisfaction, turned back to his desk, and with renewed vigour continued writing the next chapter about the mysteries of the Musketeer era.

Antique Engraving in Frame with Glass This exquisite, medium-sized artwork is a prime example of 19th-century graphic and framing art, executed in the finest traditions of classical historical romanticism. The engraving, titled “Louis XIV et Mlle de la Vallière”, depicts an intimate and historical moment – King Louis XIV of France and his famous mistress Louise de La Vallière in a palace park setting, where the lady, with shyness in her eyes, selects a lily flower, symbolizing innocence and purity.

Artist and Technique A clearly legible master’s signature is embedded in the lower right corner of the work: “Gravé par P. H. Pauquet” (Engraved by P. H. Pauquet). Paul Hippolyte Pauquet (1811–1864) was an outstanding illustrator and engraver, renowned for his ability to render fabric textures, light and shadow, and the emotional depth of characters with astonishing finesse and precision. This print demonstrates exceptional technical mastery.

Exclusive Frame The special and undeniable value of this piece lies in its original, exceptionally ornate frame. It is crafted from wood, skillfully veneered with exquisite and lustrous imitation (tortoiseshell), and richly decorated with fine, gilded (parcel-gilt) leaf and bead bands. Frames of this type were extremely expensive in the 19th century and signified the highest level of luxury for the bourgeoisie and aristocracy. The engraving is professionally preserved behind historical glass with an elegant passe-partout.

Application Due to its exquisite dimensions (81.5 x 65.5 cm), this work would be an excellent addition to a classic study, a theological or art room, a private library, or a salon. It exudes academic grandeur, diplomatic charm, and will serve as a magnificent conversation piece in any elite interior.

Condition Well-preserved authentic historical condition. The paper of the engraving has a natural and even tone consistent with its age. The solid and valuable wooden frame is completely stable, the tortoiseshell imitation lacquer has retained its depth and sheen, and the gilded elements show a noble patina of time. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.