Literature: Leymarie, 1896 (N.1); IFF 6:1 (II/II).
Provenance: from the collection of Nils Rapp (Lugt 2130a).

Superb impression with full margins on heavy watermarked laid paper (Gaudriault 300: Chaplet with Maltese cross).

Almost all Demarteau’s prints bear numbers that were inscribed into the copperplate at the time of publication. These numbers record the approximate order in which the prints were made and later served as the basis for a catalogue compiled in 1788 by the artist’s nephew and collaborator, Gilles-Antoine. Our print goes under No.1.
Though it’s one of Demarteau’s earlier works executed in a new technique of printmaking, the artist shows here a remarkable fidelity in his translation of Parrocel’s drawing style onto copperplate. The original red-chalk drawing by Parrocel was sold with the Cabinet of Jean Denis Lempereur on May 24, 1773. It is currently at the Städel Museum (Inv. No. 1294).