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Allegory of Human Dispersion – Antique Lithograph, Le Monde en Estampes, c.1845
$248.52
£185.71
€210
CA$346.05
A$371.87
CHF 199.53
MX$4,380.40
NOK 2,508.87
SEK 2,291.83
DKK 1,600.85
About the Item
Dispersion des Peuples – Allegorical Lithograph from Le Monde en Estampes, c.1845
This beautiful mid-19th-century hand-colored lithograph, titled “Dispersion des Peuples,” serves as the grand allegorical frontispiece to the French publication Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, printed in Paris around 1845–1850. The image was lithographed by J. Bocquin after designs by the celebrated artists Maurice Leloir and Jean-Baptiste Fossey, and printed by the prestigious Imprimerie Lemercier. The accompanying text of the book was written by Élisabeth Müller and published by Amédée Bedelet, Libraire-Éditeur, 20 rue des Grands-Augustins, Paris.
This composition represents the “Dispersion of the Peoples,” a symbolic and dramatic scene echoing the biblical or mythic theme of humanity spreading across the world after the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel. Three large winged angels dominate the heavens, gliding across the sky with outstretched arms, their robes flowing in tones of blue, rose, and gold. They appear as divine messengers or allegories of destiny, guiding and overseeing the migration of humankind below. Beneath them unfolds a dynamic landscape teeming with people and animals on the move—figures of different origins leading oxen and carts, families walking together, and riders on horseback.
The setting, suffused with dust and motion, evokes both the hardship and hope of humanity’s journey toward dispersion and discovery. The scene harmonizes Romantic allegory with ethnographic curiosity, prefiguring the plates that follow in the series depicting the costumes and cultures of nations around the globe. The detailed drawing, refined coloring, and delicate lithographic shading are typical of Lemercier’s Paris workshop, renowned for its high-quality chromolithographic productions during the golden age of French lithography.
As a frontispiece to Le Monde en Estampes, this plate occupies a unique place in the collection: it introduces the viewer to the philosophical idea underlying the entire series—the unity of humankind through its diversity. A splendid combination of art, mythology, and early anthropological interest, this print exemplifies the spirit of mid-19th-century European humanism and visual culture.
Condition report: Good condition for age with mild foxing, light toning mainly to margins, and some faint spotting on the upper and right edges. The impression is strong with vibrant, well-preserved color. Paper retains full margins.
Framing tips: This print displays beautifully when matted with an off-white or ivory mount and framed in a gold or walnut wooden frame to complement the warm tones of the lithograph. For a more dramatic presentation, a dark charcoal or olive mat may enhance the ethereal presence of the angelic figures.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: J. Bocquin (after Leloir
Fossey), printed by Lemercier, Paris, circa 1845
- Dimensions:Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1845
- Condition:Condition report: Good condition for age with mild foxing, light toning mainly to margins, and some faint spotting on the upper and right edges. The impression is strong with vibrant, well-preserved color. Paper retains full margins.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13682-11stDibs: LU3054347418052
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