c. 1830 – Pellerin – Degrés des Ages

Title:                      “Degrés des Ages”​
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Description:

A classic “image d’Épinal” from the Pellerin imagerie in Épinal, Lorraine, the best-known producer of French popular prints. This “Degrés des Ages” (Steps of the Ages) was designed in 1826. Its block was cut by François Georgin, Pellerin’s master woodcutter, whose initials “G.F.” appear at the bottom. It was printed from the woodblock and coloured by hand through stencils (au pochoir), which gives the bold, flat colours typical of Épinal prints. This impression, on laid paper and with the early imprint “De la Fabrique de Pellerin, Imprimeur-Libraire à Épinal”, dates from the first years of the block.

The image presents the ages of life as a staircase. Couples climb the steps from childhood to the summit at fifty and then go down towards old age: “Adolescence” (10 years), “Jeunesse” (20), “Age viril” (30), “Age de maturité” (40), “Age de discrétion” (50), “Age déclinant” (60), “Age de décadence” (70), “Age caduc” (80) and “Age de décrépitude” (90). The top step carries the subtitle “Le cours de la vie de l’homme, ou l’homme dans ses différens âges.” The figures wear the fashions of the First Empire and the Restoration: high-waisted dresses and bonnets, top hats, and an officer in a bicorne with epaulettes.

At lower left the cycle begins with “Enfance”, a baby in a cradle, and “Age de puérilité”, a four-year-old in a baby walker. At lower right it ends at “100 ans. Age d’imbécilité ou d’enfance”, with an aged couple in bed and an angel and a winged devil beside them. Under the arch of the steps is the “Jugement universel” (Last Judgement): God the Father in a radiant triangle between trumpeting angels and, below, the flames of hell crowded with demons and the damned.

A charming and much-loved subject of French popular imagery, full of period detail.

Artist:                   François Georgin (1801–1863)

Publisher:          Pellerin, Épinal (“De la Fabrique de Pellerin, Imprimeur-Libraire à Épinal”)
Sheet size:          63,5 x 44,1 cm
Year:                     c. 1740
Technique:        Woodcut, colored by stencil (au pochoir)

Condition:
Good, original condition. Strong impression on laid paper, with bright stencil coloring. Light toning, with a browned band and some spotting along the left margin; minor soiling in the margins.
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This is an original antique copper engraving published in circa 1740 and NOT a modern copy or reprint

On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity