MALTA - HOUËL - Meeting of 4 PLATES. Titles:... - Lot 47 - Eric Caudron

MALTA - HOUËL - Meeting of 4 PLATES. Titles: 1-"Headdresses and costumes of some men and women of the Isle of Goze / Plan of two ancient buildings"; 2-"Cases of the Orloger Saltworks / View of the Gerbe"; 3-"View of the Mushroom Pit" & 4-"Plan of the Barrier and the Health Office in Malta". 1782-1787. Original aquatints by Jean-Pierre HOUËL (Rouen 1735 Paris 1813). Proofs printed in bistre, on watermarked laid paper (letters). Plates from "Voyage pittoresque des isles de Sicile, de Malte et de Lipari, Où l'on traite des Antiquités qui s'y trouvent encore ; des principaux Phénomènes que la Nature y offre ; du Costume des Habitans, et de quelques Usages". All margins. Jean Houel, who learned engraving under the direction of Le Bas and who excelled in the art of aquatint, became enthusiastic about Italy following a trip he made in the company of the Marquis d'Havincourt. He made a second trip in 1776 to the kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and the islands of Malta and Lipari during which he composed the drawings for the book "Voyage pittoresque des isles de Sicile..." which he engraved upon his return. Approximately 35 x 54 cm each. Condition A (Margin edges slightly oxidized, occasionally a few wormholes in the margins). Set of 4 plates.