Bernard PICART (1673-1733), Giants Trying to Climb to Heaven, Mythological Scene, 1731

copperplate engraving from two plates (composition and bordière reflected separately) colored in watercolor in period, paper, 25.5 x 17.5 (imprint of composition plate), 35.5 x 25.5 cm (imprint of bordière plate); signed on plate p. d. (below composition): B.Picart dir; and l. d. (under the bordering): B.Picart del. 1731; under the composition, title in four languages (French, English, German, Dutch).

Classic mythological master engraving from the early 18th century. Issued in a series of engravings accompanying the "Neueröffneter Musen-Tempel," a collection of mythological tales and stories (primarily from Ovid's "Metamorphoses"). The illustrations were of the highest quality, despite the fact that they appeared in 1733 in the fading light of Baroque tradition. The fabulous, ornate border patterns give the compositions a formal character, reminiscent of framed paintings.

Bernard Picart, born June 11, 1673 in Paris, where he lived on rue Saint-Jacques, settled in Amsterdam in 1711, where he lived on Kalverstraat; he died there May 8, 1733. He was a designer and engraver.
Trained by his father Étienne Picart (1632-1721), known as a Roman, and by Benoît Audran le Vieux, then by Sébastien Leclerc from 1689; he first resided in the Netherlands from 1696-1698. He enjoyed a well-deserved reputation when his father chose Amsterdam for his residence. He was very industrious, hence the large number of works he produced. Most of them are engraved in his own drawings, which he made with special care and finish.