Antique 18th Century French Copperplate Engraving Louis-Jean Desprez & De Ghendt

Antique 18th Century French Copperplate Engraving – Louis-Jean Desprez & De Ghendt, Hand-Colored, Sicilian Series

What makes it special
✔️Over 220 years old
✔️Hand-worked – Every line was MANUALLY carved.
✔️Tied to the French monarchy & the European Grand Tour craze - connected to the French king’s approval
✔️18th-century original — not a reproduction
✔️Shows a famous Italian city when it still looked like this

RARE late 18th-century French copperplate engraving, part of the Sicilian series.

▪︎Designer: Louis-Jean Desprez (1743–1804)
▪︎Engraver: De Ghendt (active late 18th c.)

▪︎Inscribed: "Dessine par Desprez," "Gravee par De Ghendt," "A.P.D.R.," and numbered "No. 5. Sicile."

▪︎Title: Vue de la Place Royale de Messine avec une partie du Port et du Palais des Vice-Rois

▪︎Size: Approx. 14¼" (H) x 19" (W)

▪︎Antique original with foxing & water staining, most pronounced in the margins & lower sheet. Plate mark is strong, image crisp, & faint original hand-coloring is visible.