This late 18th-century hand-colored engraving captures a rare historical view of the Medici Fountain in Paris, then known as the "Grotte du Jardin du Luxembourg."Produced between 1787 and 1789 as part of the celebrated series Vues pittoresques des principaux édifices de Paris, the artwork is attributed to the prominent French engraver Antoine-Louis-François Sergent-Marceau. The circular "tondo" composition and delicate hand-tinting depict the fountain in its original 1630 architectural state, populated by figures in Louis XVI-era attire just years before the French Revolution forever altered the city’s landscape.
The piece is elevated by its exceptional provenance, having been professionally curated and framed by the prestigious Parisian house A L’Art Ancien. It is presented in a classic water-gilded wooden frame with intricate beaded detailing, featuring a hand-drawn "French Mat"—a traditional mounting technique characterized by multiple fine-line ink borders and soft watercolor washes. This high-end presentation was a hallmark of mid-century Parisian galleries and significantly enhances the decorative appeal of the antique print.
While the print was artistically trimmed to fit this custom mounting, it remains a highly collectible example of pre-Revolutionary Parisian topographical art. The combination of the 18th-century aquatint technique and the authentic A L’Art Ancien gallery labelon the reverse makes this an ideal acquisition for interior designers and collectors of French history. It serves as both a sophisticated decorative object and a documented window into the architectural heritage of the Luxembourg Gardens.
Frame measures 8.75” x 9.25” and shows authentic wear from age.
