Prints: what a gold mine!

The prints are a mine rich in valuable lessons, a source of enjoyment that never runs dry. For a lover of pictures what a what a precious document in prints, as objects of comparison and study! The most honest representation of the work painted by an artist is certainly his engraved work as a mirror in which he reflected his image, which has preserved to us.
It's in the prints that artists derive their source, should look for models or guides. Using prints, there are events whose ephemeral writers do not feel obliged to keep the memory, features unknown or known to a small number of views of monuments that no longer exist, caricature destroyed or become very rare, scenes impossible to describe manners (EX: Gavarni).
The usefulness of prints is an incontestable fact.
Claude Maugis, abbot of St. Ambrose, in the reign of Henry III, circa 1576, who imagined to form collections of engravings, created the first print's cabinet. He spent forty years to form his collection.

Timor, Canda, Jeune fille malaise. Hand-coloured print c1810, representents the portrait of a young Woman from Malaysia. Superb realisation printed for "Voyage de découvertes aux terres australes", by François Péron in 1807.

At his death, M. de Marolles, Abbe de Villeloin, bought for 1,000 pounds, all that was most remarkable to increase his own print room.
In 1667, Colbert had to buy the library of M. de Marolles for the royal library, 440 volumes with about 120 000 prints!

Superb copper-plate engraved print c1809, represents the battle of Cadix, in september 1809, by the french. This print belongs to the amazing collection of Versailles'Gallery published by Gavard in 1830's.

A well-organized print's room should have prints about history, costums, geography, architectures, monuments, portraits, natural history and academic arts.

Rare copper-plate engraved print, c1845, represents some antiques items from Greece. Prints are also very important for the archeologic work.

Lithograph from a Gallery of Portrait, c1805, representants the portrait of Bayard, one of the most famous knight in France.

Superb copper-plate engraved print on laid paper, c1770, who represents the Antibes's harbour on the French Riviera. Painted by N. Ozanne. This beautiful comes from the "Collection of french harbours for the king".

You can come to visit my e-store where I sell some original antique maps and prints: http://stores.ebay.com.au/moncabinetdestampes