[Guitar] Ponce, Nicolas. (1746-1831) [after Caspar Netscher (1639 - 1684)]
"The Little Englisch Mistress playing upen the Guitar"
Paris: Chez Ponce, Graveur. Baudy copper engraving captioned in lower margin in French and English: "Petite Maitresse Anglaise pincant de la Guittare / The Little Englisch Mistress playing upen the Guitar" [SIC], circa 1780s, after the painting by Netscher ("Netscher inv." lower left), depicting a woman with exposed bosom playing the guitar as a priest leers over her while a cupid to the lower left has been rendered either disgusted by this lecherous display or perhaps just despondent over the quality of her playing. Printer credit just barely visible beneath the caption "A Paris: Chez Ponce, rue St. Hyacinte, maison de M. Debure..." Creases to lower left corner, mounting remnants to upper edge, else fine. 6.75 x 9.5 inches (17 x 24 cm.) Reference: No. 387 in "Catalogue de tableaux, dessins, estampes du cabinet de feu M. Ponce, graveur."A highly amusing work by the French writer on art, accomplished draftsman and engraver and publisher/editor of engravings who was engraver to the brother of the King and Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur. (18873)
Art Classical Music