This antique engraving is an illustration from the monumental work of the "Encyclopédie Méthodique" published by Charles-Joseph Panckoucke in 1793.
The image depicts a plate from the "Encyclopédie Méthodique," dedicated to "Chasse, Petites Chasses et Pièges," which translates to "Hunting, Small Game Hunting, and Traps." This plate shows a pastoral landscape with a person inspecting or setting up a trap. The bottom part of the engraving illustrates various trapping devices in greater detail, likely used for capturing birds or small game. The scenery and the traps indicate a focus on the practical aspects of rural life and the techniques used in hunting and trapping during the era. The illustrations serve to educate on the design and function of these devices, with a level of detail that reflects the comprehensive nature of the encyclopedia.
The engraving is executed on verge type hand-laid paper, a high-quality paper commonly used at the time for important documents and artwork. It showcases the meticulous art of etching and engraving that was characteristic of the era.
The Encyclopédie Méthodique is an expanded and re-arranged edition of the earlier Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, which was a substantial reference for arts and sciences and a vehicle for spreading the ideas of the French Enlightenment. This encyclopedia was an immense undertaking, with contributions from more than 140 individuals, and it played a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge during that era.
The figures are labeled and offer a glimpse into the techniques and tools used in fishing during the late 18th century, serving not only as an informative piece but also as an historical document illustrating the technological and industrial knowledge of the time. The artists and engravers involved in the creation of this plate, such as Robert Benard, played a critical role in illustrating the vast array of subjects covered by the encyclopedia.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.