Allegorische voorstelling met stamboom en oplichtend kruis - Pierre-Philippe Choffard

A detailed 1772 etching by Pierre-Philippe Choffard depicting a royal genealogical tree and a radiant cross, created for the Imprimerie Royale.

This etching by Pierre-Philippe Choffard, dated 1772, serves as a refined example of eighteenth-century French book illustration. Produced for the Imprimerie Royale, the work demonstrates the technical precision associated with the period. The composition features an allegorical representation of a royal genealogical tree, rendered with delicate line work and balanced shading. At the centre of the imagery, a portrait medallion of Louis IX is suspended within a cloud formation, while a radiant cross appears in the upper right, casting light across the scene.

The genealogical structure is depicted as a branching plant, with individual oval medallions containing the names of various monarchs. The artist employs a combination of etching and engraving to achieve the fine textures of the foliage and the soft, atmospheric quality of the clouds. Choffard, a master of the vignette and ornamental print, manages to integrate the text of the surrounding page with the illustrative element, creating a cohesive visual narrative that supports the historical context of the Bourbon dynasty.

The print reflects the aesthetic values of the era, where clarity and order were prioritised in historical documentation. The use of light and shadow provides a sense of depth, drawing the eye from the portrait of the saintly monarch towards the lineage that follows. This piece is a characteristic example of the high standards maintained by the Imprimerie Royale, where typography and illustration were treated as complementary arts. The work remains a fine specimen of the rococo-to-neoclassical transition in French printmaking, capturing the intersection of royal history and decorative graphic design.