Author: GAUTIER d'AGOTY, Jacques Fabien [1716 - 1785]
Title: Le Poumon et le Coeur. 'Planche XIV de l'Anatomie des Viscères, Dissequez, peints et Gravez en couleur par Mr Gautier' [Text running from left to right at top margin of the plate]; Bottom margin with legenda.
Description: Paris, Gautier d'Agoty. No date [ab. 1754]. Multiple plate color mezzotint. A stunningly beautiful anatomical presentation in colour printing of the heart and lungs. 1 colour printed mezzotint plate [meas. appr. 47 x 61 cm, engraved surface] printed from 4 separate plates: the first plate for the blacks (burin engraving and lettering); the second plate in mezzotint for the blue; the third in mezzotint for the yellow; the fourth in mezzotint and 'dotted manner' for the red. According to Rodari [see note] a fifth plate was used for a final layer of veins. Varnished state. Plate number upper left [Planche XIV]. Lower mid center a tear and a few pinholes skillfully filled in and restored. Minimal imperfections and scratches. Lower blank margin [which will no longer be showing when framed] a waterstain. A few tears and small holes skillfully filled in and repaired. Some imperfections and surface scratches as is usual. From: l'Anatomie générale des viscères' [Paris, ca 1754]. Extensive one page description of the book title w. all quotes in full upon request.: Rodari, Exhibition catalogue Bibl. Nationale 'Anatomie de la couleur', i.l.c. esp. item 109, p. 124 (w. a full page colour ill. on page 125, from the Collection Paul Jammes).: Colin Franklin, A cat. of early colour printing [Culham, Oxford, 1977], preface p. 1: Grasselli, M. Morgan, Colourful Impressions [...], pp. 45 - 47: Choulant, 'Geschichte und Bibliographie der anatomischen Abbildung', 1832], p. 270: Putscher, M. 'Gerschichte der Medizinischen Abbildung', 2nd ed. 1972], pp. 52 & 57: Singer, H.W. 'der Vierfarbendruck', pp. 177 - 199: Hirsch/Hübotter, vol. II, p. 509: Hahn Dumaitre, P. 305, 307: Blake STC 18th c., p. 169: All Gautier d'Agoty colour prints are very much sought after, full size figures in 3 sheets, printed from 4 or 5 plates, as well as the single page plates have become increasingly rare and sometimes appear in the trade or at auction.

Keywords: Coloured books commissie medicine anatomy handbooks skeleton muscles process