Study for an illustration in Tacitus "Tibère, ou Les Six Premiers Livres des Annales", Book VI, Vol. 3, 2nd Study
c. 1768
Medium
Pen and black ink, over graphite and traces of black chalk, on gray laid paper, incised for transfer and perimeter mounted on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
11.9 × 7.2 cm (4 11/16 × 2 7/8 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
113642
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Hubert François Gravelot, a leading French rococo illustrator of the 18th century created this delicate *Study for an illustration in Tacitus "Tibère, ou Les Six Premiers Livres Annales," Book VI, Vol. 3, 2nd Study* around 1768. Gravelot was renowned for his elegant book illustrations, blending rococo finesse with neoclassical precision, often capturing dramatic moments from classical texts. This preparatory drawing supported an edition of Tacitus' *Annals*, the Roman historian's vivid account of Emperor Tiberius' turbulent reign—a work that fascinated Enlightenment scholars for its insights into power, tyranny, and moral decay. Executed in pen and black ink over graphite underdrawing and faint black chalk traces on gray laid paper, the small sheet (just 11.9 × 7.2 cm) reveals Gravelot's meticulous process. The incisions along key lines indicate it was prepared for transfer, a technique engravers used to replicate designs onto printing plates with precision, ensuring fidelity in mass-produced illustrations. Perimeter-mounted on ivory laid paper for stability, it exemplifies the technical sophistication of 18th-century print workshops. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this study offers a window into the collaborative artistry behind luxury books, where Gravelot's lively lines brought ancient history to life for French readers amid a cultural revival of Roman antiquity. A testament to his enduring influence on graphic design.
About the Artist
Hubert François Gravelot · 1699–1773
Hubert-François Bourguignon, known as Gravelot (1699–1773), was a leading French Rococo engraver, illustrator, and designer whose elegant draftsmanship bridged the artistic worlds of France and England. Born in Paris to a tailor, he adopted his pseudonym from a godfather and grew up alongside his elder brother, the geographer Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville. After neglecting studies at the Col...