François Perrier (c. 1594-1649) Hercules Commodus... Lot 8

François Perrier (c. 1594-1649) Hercules Commodus Romae (Hercules Commodus). (Pl. of the suite of Six antique statues). 1633. Etching. 95 x 172. Robert-Dumesnil 38. A two-plate cameo print. Beautiful proof on buff paper, the whites oxidized. Short broken fold in the upper left corner of the sheet. Tiny tear at the foot. Good margins. Very rare. "François Perrier was the first to use two metal plates, each with a different colour. His ambitions were modest, although they were certainly inspired by the splendour of the ancient statues he had before his eyes. There is no doubt that the near-impossibility of capturing the luminous whiteness of the marbles with the traditional means of etching caused him a certain frustration. If we are to believe the vintage engraved on the Six Statues antiques, it was in 1633 that Perrier engaged in this experiment, which he confirmed superbly with Le Temps rognant les ailes de l'Amour." (Source: www.expositions.bnf.fr : " Les tailles-douces en deux couleurs ")