"Serment d'Amour" by Jean Mathieu (1749-1815)

By Jkap, 27 March, 2008
Description

Original artwork made by jean Mathieu after Fragonard's oil on canvas. Hand-coloured engraving and etching made on a hard metal (copper) which is gilded. The countless hours spent creating pieces like this one gives them value. The frame is from 19th century.

Category
Fine Art
Medium
hand-coloured copper plate gilded
Distinguishing marks
signature, title, cachet
Condition
Excellent
Size and dimensions of this item
the metal plate is 15x12,5 cm and the oval shape inside (the composition) is 10,5x9 cm
Date Period
1800 cca.
Weight
250 grams
For Sale?
No
Photos

Sue2

16 years 8 months ago

I searched online and found this listed as J. Mathieu after Fragonard Le Serment d'Amour, 1760s, etching and engraving at - www.hermitagerooms.com.

What you have appears to match a piece that was exhibited in The Hermitage Rooms at Somerset House.

I'm not an expert yet I feel that you have a very special piece and I find it absolutely beautiful.

I did write to an expert and she suggested that you contact a reputable auction house such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s. 

I'd love to know what they say.

I wish you luck! :)

No votes yet

Thank you for your oppinion. I have already contacted many many auction houses and museums but the answer was that they do not handle with items as mine is. Then i realised that this is unique piece never seen and that's why I got this answer. Several museums confirmend that it is really original, to some of them I have sent photographs by parcel post which are splendid. It's been almost two years that I'm trying to find appropriate appraiser but with no luck. An expert from USA compared it with the works of J.J. Tissot and said that it will be very hard to find the appraiser because as this engraving is rare so are the experts. I have also wrote to Hermitage and hermitagerooms in sommerset but with no luck. I don't know what to do anymore, whom to contact and reffer to. Once more thank you for your kind help. Sincerely JK
No votes yet

I have one of these as well. The really valuable versions are in museums such as the Gertty in LA. What you have is a print and its value is that its an old one.

These were used by decorators in the 1940's to add charector to rooms, particularly French influenced bedrooms. Enjoy it for what it's worth to you.

MLJ

No votes yet

Lovejoy

16 years 8 months ago

 Sue2 is quite correct, no point messing about, contact Sotheby's or Christies. If they give you the brush off with a "We do not handle with items as this", what it really means is they don't believe it's of any great value and don't want to bother with it.

 It it is rare or valuable they will be interested, after all that's how they make their money ;~)

 

Lovejoy 

 

No votes yet