This title page typifies the flourishing baroque and rococo style of French design and engraving that gained popularity in the latter part of the 18th century. The title is enclosed by scenes including four queens representing the continents. At lower right is Minerva who stands for Europe and wisdom. On the left are Asia with a camel and Africa holding an elephant tusk and riding a lion. America is shown as a muscular Amazon queen with a bow and quiver of arrows. The sun-god Apollo gallops across the heavens in his chariot, and a flock of adorable putti frolic around a large globe at center. From the edition published by Boudet. Engraved by Ch. Baquoy, with lettering by J. Oger.

References:

Condition: B

A crisp impression on watermarked paper with a small chip and associated abrasion at left with a small section of image loss. There is light soiling that is mostly confined to the blank margins.