1751 AULAGNIER / DURET, Pierre-Jacques / JOULLAIN. - Scarce large and spectacular panorama of the city and harbor of Marseille

Scarce large and spectacular panorama of the city and harbor of Marseille published in Paris in the middle of the 18th century. Engraved by Pierre Jacques Duret under the direction of Mr Le Bas engraver for the "Cabinet du Roi" (The burinist Duret was a pupil of Le Bas and perhaps related to Le Bas himself since the latter's wife was born Duret).
The engraving was sold : "A Paris chez Joullain Quay de la Megisserie à la Ville de Rome ; "A Paris chez Hochereau l'Ainé, Libraire, Quai et attenant le Caffé de Conti, vis à vis la descente du Pont-Neuf au Phenix" and "A Paris chez les Srs Aulagnier et Compagnie, Négocians, rue Quincampoix".

Dedicated to His Serene Highness the Duke of Penthievre, Grand Admiral of France. By his very humble and obedient Servant Aulagnier.

Below is a geographical and historical description of the city of Marseille from its founding to the reign of Louis XIV, along with a numbered key (1-53) of the most important monuments and places. Embellished with an ornate title cartouche with the coat of arms of France, and in the sky, with the Allegory of Fame with several Geniuses bearing the coat of arms of Marseille.

This panorama is sold by subscription in April 1751 "chez MM. Aulagnier & Compagnie négocians, rue Quinquampoix in Paris", & "chez M. Le Bas, rue de la Harpe, vis-à-vis la rue Percée à Paris". It is sold in five sheets on Royal paper called "Grand Aigle" but also glued on canvas. Several artists have collaborated in the realization of this view, which began two years ago. In November 1751, the view was for sale for 18 pounds at Joullain and the Sieurs Aulagnier. ¤

The "Journal historique sur les matières du tems Mai 1751" made the following advertisement: "The Public will be given, towards the end of next July, or August at the latest, the view & perspective of the whole City of Marseille & its surroundings. This work is engraved under the direction of Sieur Le Bas, Engraver of the Cabinet du Roy, with whom the Fêtes données à Strasbourg were carried out. This view was raised with great precision on the spot by a skillful Draughtsman of this kind, who observed the most gracious & favorable point of view. This view was taken from the side of the Plain of S. Michel; it includes from the end of Cap Colonne, up to Cap Cecie; which presents all the Gulf & the extent of the bay of the adjacent islands, & of the Port. One easily distinguishes in this projection the remarkable Houses, like the Town House, the Arsenal, the Parishes & Convents designated by Letters of reference. Nothing has been forgotten to make this work perfect.
On the clouds above the middle of this view, is a Fame with several Geniuses bearing the coat of arms of the City; at the bottom is a Cartridge bearing the Dedication to Monseigneur le Duc de Penthiévre, Grand Admiral of France & accompanied by several Emblems. The Subscriptions of this view were opened on the first of April at MM. Aulagnier & Compagnie négociants, rue Quinquampoix à Paris, et chez M. le Bas, rue de la Harpe, en face de la rue Percée à Paris.
They will be closed at the end of next August. Those who will subscribe will obtain this book at 11 liv. in five beautiful white proofs, on Royal paper called Grand Aigle; it will be sold to the public 18 liv. in white, & on the same paper for those who wish to have it glued on canvas without throat 21 liv. with black throat 30 liv. & with gold throat 42 liv. This view is eight & a half feet long and two & a half feet high; we flatter ourselves that the Public will receive it favorably. Those who will subscribe will obtain this book at 11 liv. in five beautiful white proofs, on Royal paper called Grand Aigle; it will be sold to the public at 18 liv. in white, & on the same paper for those who wish to have it glued on canvas without throat 21 liv. with black throat 30 liv. & with gold throat 42 liv. This view is eight & a half feet long and two & a half feet high; we flatter ourselves that the Public will receive it favorably. The most skillful Artists have been employed in all parts of the work which has been started two years ago & Mr. Le Bas who is at the head of this work is a sure guarantor of the perfection of this piece of engraving."

The "Journal historique sur les matières du tems Nov. 1751" made the following advertissement : "One currently sells « à Paris chez Le Bas, Graveur du Cabinet du Roi, rue de la harpe, vis à vis la rue Percée; chez Joullain, Quai de la Mégisserie, chez Hochereau l'ainé, libraire à la descente du Pont-Neuf, & chez Messieurs Aulagnier, Négociant rue Quincampoix », the view and perspective of Marseille, announced to the public by subscription. The price is 18 liv. in white on five beautiful sheets, royal paper."

AULAGNIER (active in the 1750s and 1760s), an architect and publisher in Paris, was one of the professors of the Academy of Painting of Marseille when it was founded (1752). We also know that a "Joseph Aulagnier, architect and surveyor of the city of Marseille" was appointed to study the project of the expansion plan of Bellisle in 1752.