Choffard

The author offers a compact biography and critical appraisal of Pierre-Philippe Choffard, tracing uncertain early dates and apprenticeship, his development into an eminent vignettist, and the graceful economy of his ornament and etching. The book assesses characteristic themes and techniques, highlights the celebrated set of etchings for Ovid's Metamorphoses, and reproduces examples in photogravure. It also provides a catalogue of books illustrated by him, addenda, a list of illustrations, and indexes to assist collectors, while mixing archival references, personal admiration, and comparative remarks to situate his work within eighteenth-century French book-decoration.