{"product_id":"mausolee-du-marechal-de-saxe-etching-engraving-by-christian-de-mechel-after-jean-baptiste-pigalle-s-strasbourg-monument-published-in-basel-in-a-gold-finished-beaded-frame","title":"“Mausolée du Maréchal de Saxe” — Etching \u0026 Engraving by Christian de Mechel after Jean-Baptiste Pigalle’s Strasbourg Monument, Published in Basel, in a Gold-Finished Beaded Frame","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary celebration of French history, monumental sculpture, and European printmaking, this beautiful antique etching and engraving depicts the magnificent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMausolée du Maréchal de Saxe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the celebrated funerary monument created by renowned French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle in honor of Marshal Maurice de Saxe. Engraved by Christian de Mechel and published in Basel, Switzerland, this remarkable work preserves the grandeur of one of the most important sculptural monuments of 18th-century France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaurice de Saxe (1696–1750) was one of the most celebrated military commanders of his time. Born in Germany and later serving the French crown, he rose to prominence under King Louis XV, earning distinction for his extraordinary military leadership during the War of the Austrian Succession. His victory at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 helped establish his reputation as one of France's greatest marshals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing his death in 1750, King Louis XV commissioned the celebrated sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714–1785) to create an elaborate monument honoring the marshal's life and achievements. The resulting masterpiece, completed in the 1770s, was installed in the Church of Saint-Thomas in Strasbourg, where it remains one of the city's most remarkable artistic treasures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePigalle's monumental composition is a masterpiece of 18th-century funerary sculpture, combining dramatic theatricality with deeply symbolic imagery. At its center, Marshal de Saxe descends toward an open tomb while an allegorical figure representing France attempts to restrain him. Nearby, the figure of Death awaits, accompanied by other symbolic figures that communicate the themes of mortality, sacrifice, military glory, and national remembrance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe monument's powerful emotional narrative and remarkable sculptural detail made it a celebrated subject for artists and engravers throughout Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristian de Mechel (1737–1817), a distinguished Swiss engraver, publisher, and art dealer based in Basel, was widely admired for his sophisticated reproductive prints. His work helped bring important European paintings, sculptures, and monuments to an international audience at a time when engraved images were among the principal means of experiencing celebrated works of art beyond their original locations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough the intricate combination of etched and engraved lines, this beautiful print translates Pigalle's monumental sculptural achievement into an intimate work on paper, preserving the drama, architectural grandeur, and extraordinary artistry of the original composition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the 18th and 19th centuries, architectural and sculptural engravings such as this were highly valued by European collectors, scholars, and admirers of the arts. They offered a way to study important monuments, celebrate notable historical figures, and bring the cultural achievements of Europe's great cities into private homes and libraries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePresented in a beautiful gold-finished beaded frame, this exceptional engraving possesses an elegance and historical depth that make it a wonderful addition to a traditional study, library, or thoughtfully layered gallery wall. Its classical subject matter and remarkable connection to French history offer a captivating conversation piece for collectors of antique European art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA truly special treasure celebrating the intersection of history, sculpture, and the enduring artistry of European engraving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 18th–Early 19th Century, attributed; exact impression date unverified\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Basel, Switzerland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngraver:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Christian de Mechel (1737–1817)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714–1785)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Funerary Monument of Maurice de Saxe (1696–1750), Marshal of France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Monument:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Church of Saint-Thomas, Strasbourg, France\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Etching and Engraving on Paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStyle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e French Neoclassical \/ Monumental Sculpture \/ Historical Architectural Art\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrame:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gold-finished decorative frame with elegant beaded detailing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003eBeautifully \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epreserved \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003enewly \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eframed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUV-protective \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eglass \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehelp \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esafeguard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehistoric \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eengraving \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efrom \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003elight-related \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efading \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edeterioration \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenerations \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecome. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThoughtfully \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epresented \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehonor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eits \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eage, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eartistry, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehistorical \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esignificance \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhile \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eensuring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eits \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econtinued \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eenjoyment \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eyears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecome.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"soul fed home","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67834331758913,"sku":null,"price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/9549\/3185\/files\/D04225AE-AD8A-48CD-BC3C-1CDEFE134384.png?v=1791440653","url":"https:\/\/soulfedhome.com\/products\/mausolee-du-marechal-de-saxe-etching-engraving-by-christian-de-mechel-after-jean-baptiste-pigalle-s-strasbourg-monument-published-in-basel-in-a-gold-finished-beaded-frame","provider":"Soul Fed Home","version":"1.0","type":"link"}