Martinet, Pierre (1781-1815) and Charon, Louis François (1783-1831) - Portrait of French Général Kleber • Commander of Napoleon's Egyptian Campaigns • Assassination in background Hand colored aquatint etching - Names of painter and engraver on plate - Circa 1814

Hand colored aquatint etching - Names of painter and engraver on plate - Circa 1814

 

• An excellent, very rare, hand-colored aquatint etching from the original portrait painting of General Kleber by Pierre Martinet as etched by Louis-François Charon. It is one of their many military image collaborations. Kleber remains a celebrated national hero with portrait paintings and statues all over France. This image shows him standing heroically in his military regalia in an Egyptian palace setting, his assassination in the year 1800 is portrayed on the left. This sheet is unseen on the market, hand coloring is of the period and of the finest artistic and technical quality. The print comes from an old Roman family with ties to the reign of Napoleon.

• 29,8 x 44,8 cm paper dimensions

• Modern frame with glass

• Overall very good condition commensurate with age. Crisp image, and bright colors. Foxing visible in the lower, text portion of the sheet. Three scuff tears at the bottom as per photo, two small holes. Three small cracks in the paper near the step on the right.

• Provenance - Private Collection Rome, Italy (in family since mid XIX century)