Zephyre and Flore

c. 1776

after Antoine Coypel

(French, 1661–1722)

Culture

France, 18th century

Medium

Color wash-manner etching and engraving with applied gold leaf

Measurements

Sheet: 33.3 x 26.5 cm (13 1/8 x 10 7/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Milne in memory of Leona E. Prasse 1987.91

Catalogue raisonné

Inventaire du Fonds Français 18 siècle 32

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Location

Not on view

Description

Following the method of Bonnet, his mentor and colleague, Janinet created luxurious sets of color prints with printed gold frames and passed them off as foreign imports. Because the printmakers’ unauthorized use of gold leaf was eventually caught, only a limited number of gilded examples were produced. Impressions of these prints are scarce today, as many were ruined after being displayed in homes. This allegory of spring depicts Zephyre, the classical personification of the west wind, with his lover Flore, goddess of flowers