Myrtle (Arrayan). Cupid, bow and arrows antique print.

by Grandville, Jean-Jacques

Arrayan, Spanish for Myrtle, floral symbol for love.

Colour-printed engraving highlighted with gum arabic for publication in Spain c1902; engraved by Geoffroy after the drawing of French illustrator and caricaturist Jean-Ignace-Isidore Gérard (1803-1847) for Les Fleurs Animées (Animated Flowers), first published in Paris c1847.

From an early age Jean-Jacques 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. His 'animations' were so popular, that they were reissued a number of times in the United States, Belgium, Germany and Spain.

This lovely little engraving is mounted between antique-white ragmat conservation board, and covered with cellophane for protection until framed. Page size is 185 x 115mm (7.25 x 4.5 inches). External size for framing is 290 x 240mm (11.3/8 x 9.5 inches).