Laurel (for bravery). Grandville Animated Flowers antique print

by Grandville, Jean-Jacques

Laurel branch with symbols of bravery. Antique print c1902.

Colour-printed engraving highlighted with gum arabic for publication in Spain c1902, from the drawing of French illustrator and caricaturist Jean-Ignace-Isidore Gérard (1803-1847) for Les Fleurs Animées (Animated Flowers), first published in Paris circa 1847.

Known as Jean-Jacques, Grandville was tutored in drawing by his father, miniature-artist Jean-Baptiste Gérard. Jean-Jacques adopted the name 'Grandville' from his father’s actor parents who were known as 'Gérard de Grandville'. Flowers were given human characters, that ranged from charming to gruesome, depending on Grandville's state of mind. Grandville acquired fame by adding animal and bird heads to people's bodies, and as here, by portraying flowers as ladies with personalities. Grandville's flower ladies were so popular, that they were reissued a number of times in the United States, Belgium, Germany and Spain.

This small engraving has been mounted between 'antique white' conservation matt board and covered with cellophane for protection. Print size is 185 x 110mm (7.1/4 x 4.3/8 inches). Window size is 15 x 10cm (approximately 6 x 4 inches). The external mount size for framing is 27 x 22cm (10.5/8 x 8.5/8 inches).