Étienne Delaune

Plate 7 from: Combats et triomphes. Very good, black impression of the rare first state before the numbers and the publisher's address. Published while Delaune was still in France as proven by the French copyright. In 1552 Delaune was appointed to the royal mint, however, he left this position after just six months following a wage dispute. Nevertheless, during his employment at the mint, Delaune was able to forge connections with the French court and king allowing him to obtain royal commissions, notably for the design of intricately detailed royal armor, medals and other decorative metalwork. He was said to have been mentored by the Italian goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1570), who was at the time living in Paris. There are designs by Delaune in the Musée du Louvre, Paris. Delaune's engravings, which are generally small, were executed with great dexterity of handling and are very highly finished. – Verso with two small spots of paper thinning and remnants and traces of a former mounting, otherwise in good condition.