Charles Méryon (1821-1868) François Viète. 1861. Etching after Jean Rabel. 108 x 178. Delteil 79; Schneiderman 80. A fine proof on chine volant, of an intermediate state between the 8th and 9th (of 9), with the border rectified at the top but before the engraved mention "after Jean Rabel 1861". Heavy scattered foxing. Remains of miter along left edge on verso. All margins. François Viète (1540-1603) was a mathematician, jurist and adviser to the king. Méryon reinterprets here his portrait from an old engraving. This plate was intended to decorate Benjamin Fillon's publication entitled Poitou et Vendée.