Copper Plate Engraving Appraisal

18th-Century French Copper-Plate Engraving after Jean-Baptiste Oudry

This item is an 18th-century French copper-plate engraving, specifically an etching or engraving based on the work of Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686–1755), a master of the Rococo period known for his naturalistic hunting scenes and animal studies. The print is monochrome, likely executed in black ink on laid paper, which was typical for mid-18th-century production. The composition reflects the high-quality craftsmanship of the era, showcasing intricate cross-hatching and fine line work used to build depth and texture in the landscape and subjects. It is housed in a decorative frame with a multi-layered matting (passe-partout) featuring a grey wash and gilded inner border, which suggests a mid-20th-century professional framing job. The visible condition includes significant foxing (small brown spots caused by fungus or oxidation) across the paper surface, common in aged wood-pulp or cotton fibers. There are also signs of light yellowing and potential humidity-related paper rippling. The lower margin likely contains a 'letter' with the names of the original artist (Oudry) and the engraver, along with a title, though these are obscured by the frame's mounting. Despite the foxing, the integrity of the image remains largely intact, representing the sophisticated anatomical precision Oudry was famous for.