Ballet dansé au Théatre de l'Opera ballet héroïque en 3 actes et un prologue

Ballet dansé au Théatre de l'Opera, dans le Carnaval du Parnasse. Acte Ier. Dedié, è Monseigneur, le Duc de la Valiere; Pair et Grand Fauconnier de France, Chevalier des Ordres du Roi, Brigadier de ses Armées, Gouverneur et Grand Senechal de la Province de Bourbonnois et Capitaoine des Chasses de la Capitainerie Royale de la Varenne du Louvre, Par son très humble et très obéissant serviteur, Basan. G. De St. Aubin Pinxit; F. Basan Sc. A Paris, ches Basan, Graveur, rue St. Jacques. [c.1760]. Etching and engraving, platemark 14 5/8" X 12 3/8", with margins. On laid paper with watermark (unreadable). On verso, tape tipped to upper corners; small ½" closed (truncated) tear at bottom right margin and mid right margin. The etching suggests a scene from the first act of Carnaval de Parnasse : ballet héroïque en 3 actes et un prologue (premiere 1749). Louis Fuzelier (Paris, 1674-1752) librettists; Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (Narbonne 1711-1772) composer. On the left on a hill in the distance, Pegasus rears on his hind legs; in the center in a forest settings are four couples dancing in costumes. To the right is a figure in theatrical costume with a puppet in his right hand, pointing, with his left to the dancers; a group of women behind are watching the dancers. In the lower left a woman is seated with a man who is paying more attention to her than to the dancers. An audience is seated in the rear of the image. (Inventory #: 983810)