Pair Antique 18thC French Engravings Choffard Baudouin La Reprimande Lot of 2
Pair of (2) Companion French Rococo Engravings
Printmaker: Pierre-Philippe Choffard (French, 1730–1809)
After the Paintings By: Pierre-Antoine Baudouin (French, 1723–1769)
Medium: Original Antique Copperplate Etchings & Engravings on Laid Paper
Sheet Dimensions: Approximately 12.75" x 9.75" (Each print)
Framing: Unframed, flat sheets
Up for sale from our family-owned Buried in Boxes store is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful, historically matched pair of companion 18th-century French Rococo engravings. Engraved by the master printmaker Pierre-Philippe Choffard from the highly sought-after compositions of Pierre-Antoine Baudouin, these grand-format prints perfectly capture the playful, romantic, and theatrical genre scenes popular in pre-Revolutionary Paris.
Print 1: "Marchez tout doux, parlez tout bas" ("Walk Softly, Speak Softly")
Publication Date: 1782
Coloring: Monochrome / Uncolored Impression
The Scene: A classic Rococo interior romance depicting two young lovers meeting in secret within a rustic bedroom chamber, rich with textile details and atmospheric lighting.
Historical Dedication: The lower margin features a beautifully engraved formal dedication block to Charles-Joseph, the Prince de Ligne ("À son Altesse Mgr. Le Prince de Ligne et du St. Empire..."), listing his military accolades as a Knight of the Golden Fleece and Governor of Mons.
Heraldry & Marks: Displays the central coat of arms of the House of Ligne flanked by laurel leaves and topped with a princely crown. A distinct, historical circular collector’s or dealer’s stamp is present just above the shield emblem, offering wonderful provenance.
Print 2: "La Réprimande" ("The Scolding / The Badly Guarded Girl")
Publication Date: 1789
Coloring: Exquisite Period Hand-Colored Wash
The Scene: A humorous and dramatic moral tale set inside a rustic barn. An angry mother catches her daughter in a compromising moment, completely unaware that the young lover is actively escaping through the upper hayloft window in the background.
Historical Dedication: The lower margin features a formal dedication block to the legendary French art collector and military commander, Pierre-Joseph-Victor de Besenval, Baron de Brünstatt ("Le Monsieur Pierre Joseph Victor de Besenval Baron de Bronnstatt..."), a close confidant to Queen Marie Antoinette.
Heraldry: Features the central, detailed coat of arms belonging to the noble House of Besenval, beautifully framed by a detailed floral wreath.
Condition Report
Both prints are unframed, flat sheets surviving in remarkably stable, authentic antique condition given their nearly 250-year age.
Front: The hand-engraved line-work and text blocks remain incredibly crisp, bold, and clear. The delicate hand-colored tints on "La Réprimande" are beautifully preserved. The sheets exhibit overall uniform tanning, minor edge creasing, and gentle age-appropriate dust/handling marks confined to the outer margins. No large tears or deep stains affect the primary image plates.
Reverse Side: The back of both sheets is exceptionally clean. There are no heavy stains, no structural paper loss, and no traces of historic framing glues, backing boards, or destructive mounting tape. Both prints display a prominent, deep rectangular indentation (plate mark) from the heavy copperplate rolling press, verifying their authentic period production.
Please review all included high-resolution photos to fully inspect the condition details before purchasing.
Type Print
Production Technique Copperplate Engraving / Etching
Material Laid Paper
Subject Romance, Figures, Rococo Genre Scene
Style Rococo, Antique
Time Period Manufactured 1750-1799
Year of Production 1782 & 1789
Artist Pierre-Philippe Choffard & Pierre-Antoine Baudouin
Unit of Sale Lot of 2 (Pair)
Features Hand-Colored Wash (One Print), Collector Stamp (Both Prints), Clear Plate prints on front and back of both.
Item Height 12.75"
Item Width 9.75"