Lot 181C: 17th C. French Hand-Colored Engraving Anne of Austria

Europe, France, Zacharie Heince (1611-1669) (dessinateur - designer)and Francois Bignon (1620-1671) (graveur -engraver), ca. third quarter of 17th century CE. An engraved and hand colored portrait of Anne of Austria (1601-1666), the queen consort of King Louis XIII of France (reigned 1610-1643) and regent during the opening years of the reign of her son King Louis XIV (from 1643). A superb etching and dry point by Francois Bignon, a 17th century French engraver almost exclusively known for his work in portraiture, and his collaborator, the artist Zacharie Heince. The stately portrait of her highness crowned and dressed in regal refinery including an ermine lined blue robe decorated with the fleur de lis, a gown of rich fabrics adorned with jewels and elaborate lace collar and wrist cuffs, seated in an impressive chair and holding a large scepter. The portrait is surrounded by 13 titled scenes narrating her reign. On Rx is written "c. 1690 and $2000". However, wonderful hand coloring may have been done later than the etching, accounting for this date. Engraving should date prior to 1650 as none of Bignon's engravings date later than 1650. A fabulous piece. Size: 11.75" W x 16.5" H (29.8 cm x 41.9 cm)

Francois Bignon's two best known sets of engravings include "Thirty-Three Portraits of the Plenipotentiaries assembled at the Peace of Munster" (1648) and "The Portraits of Illustrious Frenchmen in the Gallery of Cardinal Richelieu" (1650) which included this portrait of Anne of Austria. For both sets Bignon collaborated with the French designer and artist, Zacharie Heince. Around the year 1645, Francois Bignon was awarded the esteemed title of "graveur ordinaire du Roi". None of his engravings are dated later than 1650, and scholars suspect that he died at an early age. Zacharie Heice was a 17th century painter and draughtsman known both for portraits of illustrious individuals and religious art. In 1663, Heince became an Academician of the Academie Royale. Among his most impressive commissions, in 1664 and 1665 he the Goldsmiths Corporation of Paris asked Heince to paint religious scenes for the cathedral of Notre-Dame.

Published in Paris in 1650. It originates from a set of twenty-seven, large portraits entitled, Les Portraits des homes illustres Francois qui sont peints dams la galleries du Pala is Cardinal de Richelieu (The Portraits of Illustrious Frenchmen in the Gallery of Cardinal Richelieu). Each of these portraits was designed by Zachary Hence and engraved by Francois Bingo. In addition, these two artists published the completed set.

Provenance: Ex-Private New Jersey collection acquired before 1990

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#113680

Very minor staining to border. Overall excellent.