Le Figuier - Regnault 1774-80

📜 Description
Antique botanical engraving executed in etching by Genevieve De Nangis-Regnault after Nicolas Francois Regnault, published in Paris by Didot le Jeune between 1774 and 1780 for the work “La Botanique(...)”. The composition depicts the fig tree in a scientific and classificatory arrangement, centered on the branch bearing large lobed leaves and fruit, accompanied by analytical studies of seeds, flowers, and internal fruit structure. The inscription “Le Figuier – Ficus Carica – Fico – Higuera – Fig Tree – Feigen Baum” identifies the species through French, Latin, Italian, Spanish, English, and German nomenclature, reflecting the encyclopedic and educational purpose of eighteenth-century botanical illustration. This antique print combines naturalistic precision and balanced composition, preserving documentary and collectible interest for the study of fruit-bearing and medicinal plants represented with refined engraving technique and careful observational detail.

📚 Historical-Artistic Note
Nicolas Francois Regnault collaborated on botanical and scientific publications intended to disseminate natural history studies during the Enlightenment era. Genevieve De Nangis-Regnault translated botanical models into engraved plates designed for editorial and scientific circulation. The Parisian publisher Didot le Jeune was among the leading figures in eighteenth-century scientific publishing, producing illustrated editions valued for their technical precision and graphic clarity.

🧾 Technical Sheet
Type: antique botanical print
Author / Manufacture: Nicolas Francois Regnault
Designer / Engraver: Genevieve De Nangis-Regnault
Publisher / Printer: Didot le Jeune, Paris
Place: Paris
Period: 1774-1780
Material: paper
Technique: etching
Subject / Title: “Le Figuier - Ficus Carica - Fico - Higuera - Fig Tree - Feigen Baum”
Edition / Print Run: from “La Botanique(...)”
Dimensions: sheet 35.5 x 49.5 cm; engraving 26 x 38.5 cm
Marks / Signatures / Inscriptions: engraved multilingual botanical title below the image

🔍 Condition Report
Excellent overall condition with well-preserved impression and clean paper. Minor age-related traces consistent with the period. Blank verso.