Monument Dedicated to Posterity in Memory of the Incredible Folly of 1720 - Bernard Picart
Archival giclée
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Description
A detailed 1720 satirical etching by Bernard Picart documenting the financial collapse of the Mississippi Company bubble in Paris.
This etching by Bernard Picart serves as a visual record of the financial collapse surrounding the Mississippi Company bubble in 1720. The composition functions as a complex allegory, documenting the widespread economic mania that gripped France during this period. At the centre, a chariot driven by the figure of Fortune carries various investors and speculators, symbolising the precarious nature of the speculative market. The scene is crowded with figures representing different social classes, all caught in the frenzy of trading shares.
Picart employs a dense, narrative style typical of eighteenth-century satirical prints. The background includes specific architectural references, such as the Quincampoix street in Paris, where much of the trading occurred. Above the chaotic scene, a figure of Fame blows a trumpet, while other symbolic elements, including a devil and various allegorical figures, populate the space to comment on the moral failings of the speculators. The lower portion of the print contains extensive text, providing a detailed explanation of the imagery and the specific events of the financial crisis.
Technically, the work demonstrates the precision of Picart's engraving skills. The lines are fine and controlled, allowing for a high degree of detail in the facial expressions and the clutter of papers and coins scattered across the foreground. The print is part of a larger collection of satirical works documenting the South Sea Bubble and the Mississippi Scheme, which were widely circulated across Europe at the time. By combining historical documentation with biting social commentary, Picart captures the atmosphere of public desperation and greed. This piece remains a primary source for historians studying early modern economic history and the development of public satire in print media.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Monument Dedicated to Posterity in Memory of the Incredible Folly of 1720 - Bernard Picart
Artist Biography
Bernard Picart
His work focuses on precise linework and mythological subjects. Picart moved away from the heavy styles of the previous century. He preferred clarity and proportion in his compositions. His etchings, such as "Althaea Putting the Fatal Log on the Fire" or his studies of antique gems, show a controlled hand. He often used vignettes and ornaments, including skulls and griffins, to frame larger narratives or to stand as independent decorative elements.
Modern collectors value Picart for his balance of classical themes and clean graphic sensibility. His prints work well in contemporary spaces because they offer historical depth without visual clutter. The monochrome compositions provide a sharp contrast for minimalist or traditional interiors. His focus on symbolic ornaments like the two-headed eagle or Mercury makes his work feel like a curated collection of curiosities for the home.
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