Charles François Hutin

The sculptor, painter and printmaker Charles Hutin was first introduced to painting by François Lemoine in Paris. In 1737 he went as a pensionnaire to the Académie de France in Rome, where he was to remain until 1744. While there he devoted himself mainly to sculpture under the guidance of Sébastien Slodtz. After his return to Paris he was admitted to full membership of the Académie royale in 1747. Shortly afterwards, in 1748, Hutin had a surprising stroke of good fortune when he went, together with his brother, Pierre, to Dresden to enter the ser­vice of the Elector August II of Saxony. He was to work in the Saxon royal capital until his death.

One of Hutin’s first tasks was to collaborate on the compilation initiated by C. H. von Heinecken under the title Recueil d’Estampes d’après les plus célèbres tableaux de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, whose first volume appeared in 1753. Hutin did the preliminary draw­ings for this extensively illustrated reference work, which were transferred to the printmaking medium by a team of well-known French reproductive engravers. Subsequently Hutin distinguished himself mainly as a painter. In 1762 he was appointed director of the old Dresden Painting Academy and also “Master Academician and Historical Painter”. After the founding of the new Academy in 1764 he occupied a leading position in this institution until his death.

This rare series of fountain designs, which is distinguished by its astute inventiveness and Baroque verve, shows Hutin at the zenith of his art. The individual scenes are alive with a spark­ling inner energy; it is almost as if one could hear the ceaseless rushing and splashing of the water. Hutin’s deft, consummate etching technique with its varied and intricate hatching patterns plays its part in heightening the impression of Mediterranean vitality and joie de vivre. Very fine, rich early impressions with wide margins, before the numbers and before the dedication to Mr. Goupy, “secretaire du Roy”. Minor ageing, otherwise in excellent condition.