Martin Engelbrecht [Augsburg] (1684-1756)

Martin Engelbrecht [Augsburg] (1684-1756)
'THE PLEASURE GARDENS OF VERSAILLE' c.1750
A fine series depicting the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, France. A set of 6 copper engraved card-backed, cut away sheets combining to create an early peep show, [105×142 mm] with original hand-colouring;

The cut aways depict; [1] a garden view with two glasshouses on both sides, a man approaches from the left; [2] a similar composition with two glasshouses, whose entrances are preceded by three steps and vases with plants. A man in aristocratic clothes on the left looks at a woman with a long yellow dress on the right; [3] in the centre, a large fountain, surrounded by trees. To the left, a couple sits on a bench and another one is walking. On the right, a woman stands in front of the fountain, and a man is seen in the distance near a tree; [4] a large fountain featuring a statue of the goddess Diana in the centre. Two couples are looking at it; [5] further in depth, arched hedges separate the space into three sections. The central section shows a flower bed and figures walking around it. Two small fountains each side; [6] two lines of trees and hedges in perspective create three paths, leading the view in depth. Arched hedges emphasise the central perspective of the composition.

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