"Marine Chantier de Construction": 18th Century Engraving of Shipbuilding by Diderot

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"Marine Chantier de Construction", plate VIII from the 18th century "Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers" (Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts), edited by Denis Diderot along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert and published in Paris, France in 1751. This detailed copperplate engraving and etching from the first edition of the Encyclopédie illustrates the complexities of the building of a ship. There are industrious workers involved in tasks all over the shipyard. The scene was drawn by Louis-Jacques Goussier (1722-1799) and engraved by Robert Bénard (1734-1777).

Creator: Denis Diderot (French)

Creation Year: 1751

Dimensions: Height: 24.63 in (62.57 cm) Width: 27.63 in (70.19 cm) Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)

Medium: Etching, Engraving

Condition: See description below.

"Marine Chantier de Construction", plate VIII from the 18th century "Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers" (Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts), edited by Denis Diderot along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert and published in Paris, France in 1751. This detailed copperplate engraving and etching from the first edition of the Encyclopédie illustrates the complexities of the building of a ship. There are industrious workers involved in tasks all over the shipyard. The scene was drawn by Louis-Jacques Goussier (1722-1799) and engraved by Robert Bénard (1734-1777).

Creator: Denis Diderot (French)

Creation Year: 1751

Dimensions: Height: 24.63 in (62.57 cm) Width: 27.63 in (70.19 cm) Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)

Medium: Etching, Engraving

Condition: See description below.

The print is presented in a gold frame with a teal-colored French mat that is embellished with an attractive gold marbled band. There is a central vertical fold, as issued. There is mild focal discoloration in the lower right portion of the print. The print is otherwise in excellent condition.

Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer. Jean le Rond d'Alembert (1717-1783) was a French mathematician, mechanician, physicist and philosopher. Their goal was to document all of the world's knowledge in the Encyclopédie and to make it readily available to the public. The encyclopdia was a massive reference work for the arts and sciences, as well as a means to propagate the ideas of the French Enlightment. The encyclopedia was the first to describe how mechanical inventions work. The first edition was accompanied by detailed engravings which were eliminated in subsequent editions.

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