Story of Paul and Virginia

JEAN FRÉDÉRIC SCHALL (1752-1825) (drawing);

CHARLES MELCHIOR DESCOURTIS (1753-1820) (engraving);

PIERRE BLIN (editor);

Paris, 1795-1797.

Etching and illuminated aquatint on vellum paper.

Scene taken from Jacques Henri Bernardin’s novel Saint Pierre Paul et Virginie published in 1787, which takes place on the distant island of Mauritius.

Acceptable / good condition. Slight signs of use.

The novel tells the story of childhood love between Paul and Virginia and its transformation into adult love with the arrival of adolescence. Virginia’s mother, who does not approve of this relationship, decides to keep the young woman away from her by sending her to Europe. However, the trip will only consummate the tragedy: upon her return, the ship wrecks near the coast of the island and Virginia drowns. Pablo from the coast will contemplate the fatal outcome and will in turn die of sadness. The novel, which had notable success, anticipated many of the elements of Romanticism. It is not, therefore, surprising the presence of a Moon as an exceptional testimony of this story of failed loves.