[RECUEIL DE GOUACHES]. Recueil d’images peintes à la gouache [Scrapbook].

Precious scrap-album gathering several hundreds of engraved illustrations finely cut out, painted in gouache and mounted on paper at the time.

Each detail has been meticulously cut out preserving the thinnest details of the figures, and then painted in gouache in pastel colors, some of them glittering or sometimes highlighted with gilt touches.

Through this rich illustration, we understand the art, entertainments and interests of the time of Europeans and especially in Germany: still lives, flowers and gardens, baroque patterns decorated with forest and mythical animals, characters in traditional costumes, hunting scenes, Chinese smokers and teachers, snake charmers, etc.

Engraving of leaf 44 is signed Johann Albrecht excudii.

Such albums are extremely rare and this one, in its original condition, is expressing charm and finesse in particularly attractive atmosphere specific to the Baroque period.