Le jeune Pyrrhus sauvé (The Rescue of the Young Pyrrhus), 
after Nicolas Poussin French (France 1594 - 1665 Rome)
engraved by Chasteau 1676

Pyrrhus encora la mammelle est derobé a la poursuite des Ennemis de son Pere par quelques vns de ser plus fidelles Seruiteurs, qui par leur industrie trouent moyen de le passer au dela d'une ruiere tres rapide pour le sauuer a Megare. Plut. oie de Pyrrhus, 

(While still an infant at the breast, Pyrrhus is snatched from the pursuit of his father's enemies by some of his most loyal servants; through their resourcefulness, they manage to convey him across a very swift river to safety in Megara. (Plutarch, Life of Pyrrhus)

Pyrrhus adhuc infans hostium furori a suis eripitur, et superato illorum industria ac fortitudine rapido amne, Megaram incolumis deducitur Plut. in Pyrrho. 

(While still an infant, Pyrrhus is snatched from the fury of the enemy by his own people; having overcome the enemy's diligence and strength by crossing a rushing river, he is brought safely to Megara (Plutarch, Life of Pyrrhus).

D'apres le tableau du Poussin haut de 3 pieds et demy, et large de 4 pieds g po,gui est dans le Cabinet du Roy.

ad tabulam N. Poussin altam 3 pedes pol. sex, latam ped: 4, pol 9. in Pinacotheca Regia.

(Based on the painting by Poussin—3 1/2 feet high and 4 feet 9 inches wide—which is in the King's Collection.)

N. Pousin Pinxit. Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665)

G. Chasteau feitps. 1676,. Guillaume Chasteau (1635–1683)
(with scratched in reverse: goyton?)

A very beautiful rare and untrimmed French print, dated 1676, the engraving from the original Nicolas Poussin painting The Abduction of the Sabine Women c.1627 - c.1628 in the classical style of a mythological scene from Roman history. The original painting is in the Metropolitan Museum NYC. 

This is a famous 17th-century copperplate engraving titled Le jeune Pyrrhus sauvé (The Rescue of the Young King Pyrrhus). It was engraved by the prominent French printmaker and publisher Guillaume Chasteau (1635–1683). The engraving is a faithful reproduction of a classic 1634 masterpiece painting by the celebrated French Baroque master Nicolas Poussin.

About:
The story is based on Plutarch's Lives, the dramatic scene illustrates the rescue of the infant Pyrrhus, the future king of Epirus. As his city is attacked, loyal followers attempt to smuggle the child to safety but encounter a fast-moving, uncrossable river. Desperate, they attempt to hurl messages wrapped around stones and spears across the water to the inhabitants of the city of Megara on the opposing bank, pleading for assistance to bring the child across safely.
The lower margin contains a bilingual description of the legendary historical scene in French and Latin.

Rare original untrimmed margins. Like most folio prints its neatly folded down the centre for storage. It will look spectacular framed. Binding seam still attached from a book or folio.

Dimensions: Full sheet size is 49.3 tall x 64.2 cm or approx just bigger than 19 x 25 plate area is 42.5 x 53 cm

Condition. Original untrimmed edges. Paper is toned overall. Several short closed tears, one creased corner.

Provenance: Purchased by the consigner from an estate sale at a French château 23 years ago.

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