Antique Pair Georgian Miniature Etchings Children And Dog French Theatrical 1810

This rare and decorative pair of hand-coloured etchings were produced in England during the early 19th century, in the year 1810. The etchings were originally drawn by J. Graham in 1810.

Both of the etchings are on paper and are housed behind their original glass in their original buttery gilt frames.

The first etching is titled ‘Les Petities Savoyards.’ The engraving features two street performers, poor children who went out to earn money on the streets of France to earn money for their family. The boy on the left can be seen putting his hat on the dog that is performing for them. The girl on the right can be seen playing a hurdy-gurdy.

The story of the Little Savoyards was popularised in art and on stage. Les deux petits savoyards (The Two Little Savoyards) is a comic opera in one act by the French composer Nicolas Dalayrac. It was first performed by the Comédie-Italienne at the first Salle Favart in Paris on 14 January 1789.

Les deux petits savoyards received its British premiere at Sadler's Wells in June 1789 and it first appeared in the United States in Philadelphia in 1797.

The second engraving is titled ‘Ma Chere Amie’ – ‘My Dear Friend’. The engraving features two children dressed as adults in a rural setting, notice the church spire in the background. The scene is based on a popular play/song from the period.

A rare pair of engravings from over 200 years ago, the perfect item for anyone who loves all things theatrical, all things French! Please see our collection of 18th and 19th century art and antiques listed separately in our store.

Reference: Savoyard with a Marmot is an oil-on-canvas painting of 1716 by the French Rococo artist Jean-Antoine Watteau (b 1684 – d 1721). It depicts an itinerant musician/raconteur from Savoy.

Measuring: Largest measuring. Frame width 6 inch (15 cm) by height 7 inch (18 cm). Aperture width 5 inch (12.5 cm) by height 6 inch (15 cm). One frame is slightly taller than the other.

Condition: A few touched up chips to the gesso surface to the frames.