"Versaliae celebratissimi praetorii descriptio" is a rare, historic series of copperplate engravings created around 1702 by the prominent Dutch engraver and publisher Petrus Schenk . The collection provides meticulous architectural and horticultural views of the Palace of Versailles, its famous gardens, fountains, and statues during the height of Louis XIV's reign.
Petrus Schenk (1660–1711) was a German-born engraver and cartographer who operated a highly successful publishing house in Amsterdam. He was later appointed as the court engraver to Augustus the Strong.
Each engraving in the series is inscribed at the bottom with captions in both Latin and Dutch. They capture the layout and water features of Versailles shortly after construction finished.
These plates were sold both as an individual set or bound into larger collections.This plate is from one of the individual sets.
The hand colouring is old, but may not be contemporary.
Château de Clagny was a lavish 17th-century French country palace located just northeast of the Palace of Versailles. Built between 1674 and 1680 by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it was commissioned by Louis XIV as a private estate for his famous mistress, Madame de Montespan.
