Beschreibung:

PREVOST, JEAN. Collection des fleurs et des fruits, peints d'après nature...avec un discours d'introduction sur l'usage de cette collection dans les arts et les manufactures, suivi d'un précis historique sur l'art de la broderie, et d'une vue générale sur toutes les manières de peindre depuis l'antiquité jusqu'à nous, par P.M. Gault-de-Saint-Germain...avec une explication des planches par Ant.-Nic. Duchesne. Paris: chez Vilquin...de l'imprimerie de Gillé fils, an XIII. - [1804] 1805 [-1806]. Large folio, 510 x 340 mm., early nineteenth-century French green half morocco gilt, t.e.g., joints and corners worn, some foxing, mostly to text, occasional slight paper discoloration and faint spotting to a few plates, occasional loss or partial loss of engraved numerals. FIRST EDITION. 48 stipple-engraved plates, printed in colors and finished by hand, by Louis Charles Ruotte (one by Chapponnier) after drawings by Prevost. ONE OF THE GREATEST FRENCH FLOWER BOOKS. The highly decorative bouquets and sprays of flowers are ornamental rather than scientific. Indeed the book was conceived as an aid for designers and manufactuerers and many of the floral groupings, although often mismatched seasonally, are triumphantly dramatic compositions with accurate botanical detail. Contemporary with Redouté's work, the Prevost is also one of the earliest stipple-engraved and color-printed books. The coarse stipple, though technically inferior to Redouté's, creates greater contrast and depth in the magnificent and luxurious groupings of flowers and fruit. The work was published in 12 cahiers of 4 plates each and in two issues: colored or plain. Dunthorne 229; Great Flower Books , p.71; Nissen 1568; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 8319. Provenance : L.D. Ledeboer, Rotterdam, bookplate -- Linnean Society (sale, Sotheby's London, 2 July 1979, lot 97) -- Robert de Belder (sale, Sotheby's London, 28 April 1987) -- Peter Sharp (sale, Sotheby's New York, 13 January 1994, lot 14).