Reading the Will – Louis-Léopold Boilly Satirical Lithograph, c.1823

€ 780

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1823
Mapmaker / artist: Louis-Léopold Boilly, France, published London c.1823–28
Technique: Lithograph with contemporary hand-coloring
Sheet size: 37 × 35.5 cm (14.6 × 14.0 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14155-4

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Light toning and scattered spotting. Margins intact. Overall good condition.

About this sheet

Reading the Will – Boilly Satirical Inheritance Scene, c.1823
In Reading the Will, Boilly captures a moment of collective anticipation as relatives lean in to hear the contents of a testament. The tightly arranged heads and sharply differentiated expressions convey greed, hope, suspicion, and anxiety with theatrical clarity.

This plate exemplifies Boilly’s ability to transform everyday social rituals into psychologically rich satire. The subject would have been immediately recognisable to contemporary audiences and remains strikingly relevant today.

A particularly narrative image, this print works beautifully as a standalone statement piece or as part of a themed grouping.

Condition report:
Light toning and scattered spotting. Margins intact. Overall good condition.

Framing tips:
A black frame with a wide off-white mat gives the scene breathing room and highlights the expressive faces.