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Description

Attractive pair of engraved globes, illustrating the Terrestrial World and Celestial World. 

The image is set within a meticulously crafted baroque border, consisting of an exquisite ensemble of elaborate swirls and flourishes typical of the period, forms a stage-like setting for the two central objects. Its beauty is elevated by an intricate motif of geographical objects – compasses, astrolabes, maps – intertwined in the sumptuous baroque fashion, amplifying the scientific theme of the engraving.

Adding a touch of whimsical charm, cherubic figures are interspersed within this decorative frieze, each deeply absorbed in creating spheres and models. They appear as celestial artisans, meticulously involved in the creation of the universe, their innocent visages belying the intellectual effort involved in their task. These delightful figures are more than mere ornaments; they embody the humanistic spirit of the Enlightenment, emphasizing the connection between mankind and the cosmos.

At the heart of the engraving, the terrestrial and celestial globes rest, each a testament to the 18th-century French scientific and artistic prowess. The terrestrial globe portrays the earth as known in that period. Its companion, the celestial globe, is a beautiful depiction of the night sky, studded with constellations and celestial bodies. T 

This 18th-century French copper plate engraving of a pair of terrestrial and celestial globes is more than a simple depiction of the world as understood then. It is an emblem of the era’s fascination with understanding the cosmos, the triumph of the human intellect, and the celebration of artistic mastery. Embellished with hand coloring and set within a frame resonating with symbolism, it captures the spirit of enlightenment in a beautifully tangible way. The engraving Enlightment Age visual symphony, harmoniously merging art, science, and philosophy into an enduring image that continues to fascinate and inspire. 

Louis Brion de la Tour Biography

Louis Brion de la Tour (ca. 1743-1803) was a French geographer and demographer. Little is known about Louis’ early life, but some glimpses of his professional life survive. He did achieve the title of Ingénieur Géographe du Roi. Much of his work was done in partnership with Louis Charles Desnos, who was bookseller and geographical engineer for globes to the Danish Crown. He worked on the Indicateur fidèle ou guide des voyageurs, qui enseigne toutes les routes royales between 1762 and 1785. During his career he also worked on several atlases. By 1795, he had gained a pension from the National Assembly. Perhaps this pension was granted in part because his son, also Louis Brion de la Tour (1763-1823), was an engraver who made Revolutionary prints, as well as maps.