Plate from the famous "Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers" (or, Encyclopaedia or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts and Crafts) which was published from 1762-1772 by Denis Diderot & Jean le Rond d’Alembert. Often called one of the greatest works of the Enlightenment and the 18th century, Diderot & d'Alembert's Encyclopédie was as much a political work as an academic exercise. Inspired by the Cyclopaedia of Ephraim Chambers (first published 1728), they set out to create the first Encyclopaedia for France and in the French language. The resulting effort was a magnum opus of 17 volumes of text published over 15 years with a total of over 71,000 articles. Diderot & d’Alembert contributed to many of the articles, but they also surrounded themselves with many of the philosophers and luminaries of the time. The work was revolutionary in scope and political as well. The publication of the Encyclopédie survived several attempts of stoppage via censorship attempts by the Catholic church, plagiarism complaints and even the removal of Royal licence at one point.
Good clean copper engraving with wide margins. Slight evidence of ageing as photographed.
Measures 22.5 by 36 cms