Description

This magnificent rare etching and aquatint printed in colour shows the attack on the Bastille in Paris during the first day of the French Revolution on July 14 1789.

The etching was made by a French artist Laurent Guyot (1756-1808), who personally witnessed and sketched some of the events during the first days of the French Revolution. Guyot lived and worked in Versailles and Paris and had connections with British printers of the time. He was known for his colour prints.

The extremely demanding printing technique of etching and colour aquatint was aiming to reproduce painted colours and make painting approachable for wider audience. This engraving is printed from four plates: black etching and aquatint, and red, blue and green aquatinted plates.

All the Guyot’s works are rare on the market.

References: De Vinck, 1552. Hennin, 10316. Vidéodisque, 894-895. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=122446