Children's games

Etching, circa 1630/50, lacking signature and printing details.

Beautiful proof, printed on thin contemporary laid paper without watermark (datable to the first half of the 17th century), with margins, small restored tears, light oxidation and traces of glue on verso, overall in good condition.

Although anonymous, the print stylistically reflects the French style of the first half of the 17th century. It appears close to, but does not belong to, the work of Robert Picou (ca. 1593 Tours - 1671 Paris).

Not described by Le Blanc or Robert-Dumesnil, although both of them do record a few plates depicting similar subjects. Most of the works known to be by Picou after his own inventions are images of children or cupids, whose plump bodies are an easily recognisable characteristic.

Robert Picou studied under Jacob Bunel and was active in the first half of the 17th century. Little is known of the life of this painter and etcher, who in the course of his career was awarded the title of “peintre du roi”. Between 1623 and 1626 he was evidently in Rome, where a note in the parish records of the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte indicates that he was employed as a painter for the king of Spain. He is also thought to have been friends with Pierre Brebiette. In his catalogue of works Robert-Dumesnil lists just seven prints by Picou, all of which he records as being of the utmost rarity (“Elles sont si rares, que M. de Marolles n’en avait pu réunir que trois”).