Les Principales Aventures de L'Incomparable Chevalier Errant Don Quichotte de la Manche

Paris: Jacques-François Chereau, 1747. Coypel, Charles-Antoine. Large folio. (1), (25)ff., plates. A reissue or reimpression published after the artist, Charles-Antoine Coypel, was named "Premier Peintre du Roi" in 1747; this series of twenty-five engravings was first presented as a deluxe portfolio in Paris, in 1724. The engravings were done after a series of paintings illustrating scenes from Don Quixote that Coypel had designed for a popular set of tapestries, which were woven continuously between 1714 and 1794. Coypel supervised the portfolio's production, and, according to the title page, the engravings were done by "les plus habiles artistes en ce genre." These artists included L. Surugue, F. Joullain, C. N. Cochin, and eight other engravers, who sign the plates. Coypel's depictions of scenes from Don Quixote differed significantly from previous illustrations of Cervantes's classic in that they were less focused on humor, and were more courtly and sophisticated, taking into account the eighteenth-century French taste for the Fête Galante and romanticized depictions of aristocrats in baroque rural settings. The scenery of these illustrations is a much lusher Versailles, rather than arid La Mancha. In addition, Coypel's illustrations were never intended to accompany a text, but instead were meant to be admired as decorative pieces. Bound in nineteenth-century half dark blue morocco over marbled boards. The spine bears a crimson lettering piece with gilt lettering. Wear to corners and head and foot of spine, front hinge starting, covers rubbed in spots, some faint marginal foxing, else a very good copy. (Ashbee 22, p. 12).