L'ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE - The Goncourt Brothers - Antique Book

[Fig. 1. Historicist-style gilt embossing.] [Fig. 2. Red Morocco goatskin binding.] [Fig. 3. Gilt signature of Belgian bookbinder Pierre-François Eenhaes.] [Fig. 4. Binding treatment and slipcase on the spine of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE."] [Fig. 5. Emblematic ex-libris of Belgian bibliophile Raoul Simonson.] [Fig. 6. Profile portrait of the Goncourt brothers, engraved by Félix Bracquemond (1833-1914), from the title page of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE."] [Fig. 7. The Goncourt brothers' signatures on a 1866 monograph page by Philibert-Louis Debucourt (1755-1832) in this copy of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE."] [Fig. 8. Fragonard's works under the Goncourt brothers' etchings.] [Fig. 9. Debucourt's works under the Goncourt brothers' etchings.] Authors: Edmond GONCOURT & Jules de GONCOURT Title: L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE Imprint: Paris, E. Dentu. Technique: Copperplate and letterpress printing. Includes 1 illustrated title page (profile portrait of the Goncourt brothers engraved by Bracquemond) and 66 copperplate etchings, comprising 42 reproductions of works by various artists, personally engraved by the Goncourt brothers, and 14 portrait etchings of artists by Adolphe Varin, including two portraits of the Goncourt brothers themselves. Additionally, this volume contains 10 illustrations by François Boucher, engraved by Pierre Quentin Chedel in 1744 for the book "Acajou et Zirphile." Bound in red Morocco goatskin with gilt embossing in the Historicist style. Gilt top edge, deckled fore-edge and bottom edge. The bookbinder's mark "EENHAES REL." is located at the lower part of the spine. Date: 1859-1875. Dimensions: Folio (23 x 28.5 cm). (BO 076) Work Description: The mention of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE" brings to mind two legendary figures of 19th-century France: the Goncourt brothers, Edmond (1822-1896) and Jules (1830-1870). The prestigious Prix Goncourt in French literature today, established by a bequest from Edmond de Goncourt to the Académie Goncourt, has been awarded since 1903, becoming a highly coveted prize for emerging French literary talents, despite its modest monetary value. The Goncourt brothers made significant contributions to French Naturalist novels, social history, and art criticism. They authored numerous novels, emphasizing the principle that novels must reflect life and be preceded by in-depth research. Their protagonists were often based on real individuals, earning them the title of founders of "documentary novels." Though not twins, they shared similar mannerisms, interests, and a certain nervousness, publishing their works collectively under the name "Goncourt." Their diaries, spanning several decades, serve as invaluable historical material for understanding the literary and artistic circles of the Second French Empire and the Third Republic. Another significant achievement of the Goncourt brothers is the book "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE." They held a profound passion for 18th-century French art. Following the French Revolution, the art of the Ancien Régime fell into disrepute, becoming politically incorrect. In defiance of this trend, they re-evaluated Rococo art and delved deeply into the social culture and history of the 18th century. Beginning in 1859 and continuing until 1875, they published 12 articles. Eleven of these were biographies and critical reviews of individual 18th-century artists, including Gabriel de Saint Aubin (1724-1780), Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), Pierre Paul Prud’hon (1758-1823), François Boucher (1703-1770), Jean Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805), Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779), Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806), Philibert Louis Debucourt (1755-1832), Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1704-1788), and two essays on illustration artists such as Hubert François Gravelot (1699-1773), Charles Nicolas Cochin (1715-1790), Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen (1720-1778), and Jean Michel Moreau (1741-1814). The final essay provided a general overview and introduction to 18th-century art, which ultimately became the book's title. At the time, only 200 copies were printed in a limited edition, with fewer than 200 complete sets ultimately published. The publication of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE" gradually shifted French perceptions of 18th-century art and sparked a trend in collecting works from that period. This movement even crossed the Atlantic to the United States by the early 20th century, with prominent American collectors referencing "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE" as a guide for their acquisitions. Consequently, the Goncourt brothers' "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE" can be credited with transforming the evaluation of 18th-century French art, reintroducing Rococo style and numerous artists now familiar to us onto the stage of art history. The Goncourt brothers personally created copperplate reproductions of works by various artists for "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE," and the French portrait artist Pierre Adolphe Varin (1821-1897) painted portrait etchings of different artists. A distinctive feature of our edition is the inclusion of 10 illustrations by François Boucher, engraved by Pierre Quentin Chedel (1705-1762) in 1744 for the book "Acajou et Zirphile." These illustrations were originally created for Carl Gustaf Tessin's 1741 work "Faunillane, ou l’Infante Jaun." However, due to limited printing and Tessin's recall to Sweden, the plates were given to another publisher, Prault. Prault, seeking suitable text for the illustrations, commissioned three writers, ultimately selecting Charles Pinot Duclos' "Acajou et Zirphile." This resulted in a rare instance of a book where illustrations lacked descriptive captions. Our edition of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE" includes these 10 Boucher illustrations, placed within the section discussing Boucher, likely at the collector's discretion, further enhancing its rarity. Several other points merit attention in this volume. Firstly, it bears the signatures of the Goncourt brothers (on a 1866 Debucourt monograph page), dedicated to a collector named De Morgne Cevenent. Secondly, this book was once part of the collection of the renowned Belgian bibliophile Raoul Simonson (1896-1965). An emblem-shaped ex-libris on Morocco goatskin is found on the flyleaf. Simonson was not only a publisher but also a bibliographer, known for his collection of exquisite and lavish books, showcasing his Belgian heritage through numerous works that reflected Belgian characteristics. In 2013, his collection was the centerpiece of two Sotheby's auctions. Furthermore, the binding was executed by the 19th-century Belgian bookbinder Pierre François Eenhaes (1823-1910), who practiced at 14 rue de l’Empereur and later at impasse Saint Charles in Brussels. For this edition of "L’ART DU DIX HUITIÈME SIÈCLE," Eenhaes employed the fashionable Historicist style, masterfully integrating Renaissance and classical ornamentation onto the front and back covers and spine. The result is a rich, elegant, and stately presentation. The gilt ornamentation on the flyleaf features a border composed of three patterns, delicate and refined, complemented by red marbled endpapers, creating a captivating visual feast. *Please feel free to message us with any detailed inquiries. *Our shop primarily features Western antiques, vintage jewelry, home decor, and European antique prints and books. As these are vintage items, they may bear traces of their history. However, they are thoughtfully curated to enhance your living space with a unique sense of taste and aesthetic. Please consider carefully before purchasing if you are concerned about the signs of age.