by Charles Nicolas COCHIN the Elder (Paris 1688 - 1754) "l'Astronomie" Original etching and engraving from a subject by Jacques de la Joue (1687-1761) belonging to a series of thirteen subjects, including a frontispiece, dedicated to a cycle of upper doors painted by de La Joue for the residence of Michel Francois d'Albert d'Ailly duke of Picquigny, seven of these subjects were engraved by Cochin (the Architecture, the Astronomie, the Botanique, the Histoire , the Optique, the Pharmacie and the Sculpture) one by his pupil Ingram and the others by Nicolas Tardieu. Counterfeiting of the work of Cochin father listed by Roux at No. 246, probably Italian and in particular from the Veneto area (Remondini?). Beautiful copy printed on a large portion of laid paper bearing the "Arme with three stars, surmounted by a crown with a half moon at its apex" and the countermark "VG letters" similar to Heawood 687 and others, all referable to Venetian paper production , Venice and Bassano, from the 18th century, also reported in some variations by Bromberg in his study of Canaletto's graphics; with large margins beyond the imprint of the slab, the trace of a rather pronounced and slightly burnished vertical central fold, two small holes of a temporary binding, pencil markings as well as other small defects at the edges and corners, but overall in good condition state of conservation. The curator of the British Museum who drew up the form relating to the subject of the "Sculpture" reports that this series of engravings is to be considered one of the most copied in the 18th century (They are among the most copied and pirated prints of the eighteenth century.) http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online Bibliography: Benezit "Dictionnaire des Peintres ..." Paris 1976 vol 3 pag 82 and 83. Bromberg "Canaletto's Etchings" San Francisco 1993 pag.219 and 220. Heawood "Monumenta chartae papyraceae ”Hilversum 1986 n ° 687, 824 and 884. LeBlanc“ Manuel de l'Amateur d'Estampes ”Paris 1856 vol 2 pag 26 n ° 123. Roux "Inventaire du Fonds Francais - Dix-Huitième siecle" Paris 1940 volume IV page 634 n ° 245. Measurements in mm: 310 x 370ca