Louis Du Guernier Etching of Beheading and Axe Man | Early 1700s

Here have a rare morbid engraving by Louis Du Guernier from the early 1700s. I figured "morbid" is appropriate since the scene shows a headhunter displaying his trophy while the main figure grips an axe and freaks out. Who said the early 1700s weren't edgy? This is some Medieval stuff y'all.

The engraving plate was likely produced for a book but I have no clue. The print is marked in the bottom right corner "Lud. Du Guernier inv et. Sculp." The rare print came out of a large collection of early European artwork from the 1500s - 1800s.

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Here's the biography for Louis De Guernier from Wikipedia:

Louis Du Guernier (1677–1716) was an engraver.

Born in Paris in 1677, Louis was probably a descendant of the well-known French artists of the same name. He was a pupil of Louis de Chatillon, and came to England in 1708. He was a member of the academy in Great Queen Street and gained considerable skill as a designer, etcher, and engraver there. He was eventually chosen one of the directors, and remained so until he died. He was specially employed on small historical subjects, as illustrations to books and plays.

In 1714 he was associated with Claude du Bosc in engraving the battles of the Duke of Marlborough, as he was with the same partner in providing six plates for the expanded edition of The Rape of the Lock that year. Among others engraved by him were portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry after Godfrey Kneller, Dr. Isaac Barrow, Thomas Otway, and others; also an engraving of "Lot and his Daughters" after Caravaggio, done at the request of Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, and some plates for John Baskett's large Bible.

He died of smallpox 19 September 1716, aged 39. Vertue says that ‘he was of stature rather low than middle size, very obliging, good temper, gentleman-like, and well beloved by all of his acquaintance.’ However, in the view of Edward Hodnett (English Book Illustration 1988, p.75) he probably died around 1735.

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The print is mounted on old paper. The entire piece measures 10" tall by 7 1/2" wide. The actual engraving measures 3 3/4" tall by 3" wide. There is some foxing, especially along the bottom and top right corner. The mounting paper has some discoloration as well. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.

I ship Fedex to street addresses in the continental USA only ( no PO Boxes please). Free shipping on the rare unusual engraving.

Heads are gonna roll. He's not going down without a fight.