Diderot Encyclopédie - Art d'Ecrire

Diderot & d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie — Art d’Ecrire (The Art of Writing), Plate 2, Original 18th-Century Engraving, c.1763, Framed

An original 18th-century copperplate engraving on laid paper from Charles Paillasson’s celebrated handwriting manual L’Art d’Ecrire, issued around 1763 as part of Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. The plate depicts a gentleman seated at his writing desk within an elegant interior, while the lower register illustrates quill pens, an inkwell and stand, a pounce box, and the correct hand positions for holding a quill.

The composition follows the characteristic format used throughout the Encyclopédie plate volumes, combining a larger vignette of practice or setting above with carefully observed studies of tools and technique below. This union of clarity, elegance, and practical instruction is one of the defining qualities of the Encyclopédie’s engraved plates, which remain among the most visually compelling records of 18th-century intellectual and working life.

The engraving was produced under the direction of Jacques Renaud Benard (1731–1794), whose inscription “Benard direx.” appears in the plate. This indicates the supervision of his atelier rather than necessarily his own hand alone. Benard was one of the most prolific engravers associated with the Encyclopédie, contributing extensively to one of the most important publishing projects of the French Enlightenment.

As both a work of graphic art and a document of cultural history, the plate has particular appeal. Paillasson devoted his career to the art of writing and calligraphy, and this engraving reflects the period’s concern with refinement, education, and the dignified presentation of skilled practice. The subject makes it especially suitable for a study, library, or desk setting, while the quality of the engraving and its strong historical context give it enduring collector interest.

Presented in a substantial glazed gilt frame with a deep green mount, this is a handsome and well-preserved example of an original Encyclopédie plate — decorative, historically significant, and ready to hang.

Details
Title: Art d’Ecrire (The Art of Writing), Plate 2
Medium: Copperplate engraving on laid paper
Engraver: Atelier of Jacques Renaud Benard (French, 1731–1794), signed in plate Benard direx.
After: Charles Paillasson (French, 1718–1789)
Date: c.1763
Plate size: 23 × 16 cm
Framed size: 56.5 × 46 cm
Condition: Good overall condition. Light age toning to the paper, consistent with an 18th-century work. No visible foxing, tears, or losses to the image area. The engraving remains crisp, with fine detail well preserved.
Frame: Substantial glazed gilt frame with deep green mount. Ready to hang.

This is a genuine original 18th-century engraving, not a modern print or reproduction.