book of prints; print BM-1896-0511.383.1-25

Period:Unknown Production date:1788
Materials:paper
Technique:etching, engraving,
Subjects:emperor/empress ceremony/ritual
Dimensions:Height: 264 millimetres Height: 291 millimetres Width: 215 millimetres (approx. sheet size of each page) Width: 180 millimetres (platemark of engraved titlepage)

Description:
“Faits Mémorables des Empereurs de la Chine, tirés des Annales Chinoises; Dédiés à Madame; Ornés de 24 Estampes in 4o. Gravées par Helman, d’après les Dessins Originaux de la Chine, tirés du Cabinet de Mr. Bertin, Mtre. et ancien Sre. d’Etat” (Paris, Isidore-Stanislas Helman & Nicolas Ponce) n.d. [1788]; containing 24 plates, numbered 1 to 24, illustrating episodes in the history of ancient Chinese emperors, engraved by I.-S. Helman after Chinese drawings in the collection of Henri Bertin. Bound facing engraved descriptions of the pictured scenes. Together with engraved titlepage, and dedication plate bound as frontispiece with vignette showing a portrait of the dedicatee, Marie Joséphine Louise of Savoy, Countess of Provence, among putti, arms, and musical instruments. In green BM binding. Etchings and engravings
IMG


Comments:The following information is taken from the BnF:The series was announced in the “Journal de Paris” on March 16th, September 11th and November 30th, 1788: “prix, 12 livres, broché 13 l. 10 sols ; sur papier vélin, 18 livres, sur papier de Hollande “peint à l’aquarelle” 48 livres, quelques exemplaires sur grand papier pour faire suite aux “”Batailles de la Chine””, 18 livres”.The pendant to this series is “l’Abrégé historique de la vie de Confucius” (IFF18 Helman, 83-106).H. Vienne (n. 25-48) confused this series with “Les Conquêtes de l’empereur de la Chine.”