Gustave Greux, “Rêverie”, c. 1875, after Albert Maignan

Gustave Greux (also known as Gustave Marie Greux) 1838–1919)

“Rêverie”, c. 1875

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with drypoint on ivory laid paper (Arches watermark) with generously wide margins as issued.

The composition of the etching is based on Albert Maignan’s (aka Albert Pierre René Maignan) (1845–1908) painting exhibited in the 1875 Salon. This impression was printed in Paris by François Liénard (fl. c. 1860s–1880s). It was published as an insert between pages 342 and 343 in the art periodical “L’Art,” in 1875.

The impression is richly inked, strong, crisp and nearly faultless. Aside from a few thin spots that are an intrinsic part of the paper, the sheet is in pristine condition bearing no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 43.9 x 29.9 cm
• Platemark: 29.0 x 20.9 cm
• Image borderline: 26.4 x 18.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Above the image at centre: “Salon de 1875.”
• Below the image: (left) “A.Maignan, pinx. / L'Art.”; (centre) “RÊVERIE.”; (right) “G.Greux,sc./ F^çois Liénard,Imp.Paris.”

References:

• IFF 6 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: GAVARRET–GUILLARD”, vol. 9, 1955, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, p. 375, cat. no. 6)
• Pierre Sanchez & Xavier Seydoux, “Les Estampes de L’Art (1875–1907)”, 1999, Paris, L’Echelle de Jacob, p. 33
• British Museum: Inventory number 1877,0210.464 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-0210-464

Price & Shipping:

AU$236 (approximately US$164.91 / €147.16 / £124.62), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this superb etching capturing the spell of a contemplative state—a rêverie beautifully embodied by the young woman who has momentarily dropped her stitch, leaving her yarn to rest on the low stool beside her—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. The quietude of her distraction contrasts with the dramatic, complexly knotted pollarded tree rising behind her, a powerful visual anchor that symbolically echoes the deep, entangled layers of her inner thoughts. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Karl Remshard, “The Battle of Alexander the Great against the Persians at the Granicus River”, c. 1720

Karl Remshard (also known as Carl Remshard, Carolus Rembshart and Carolus Remshart) (1678–1735) — Engraver working for the Augsburg publishing trade celebrated for his topographical views

“The Battle of Alexander the Great against the Persians at the Granicus River” (Die Schlacht Alexanders des Großen gegen die Perser am Fluss Granicus), circa 1720

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and writing edge. The sheet is backed with a support of archival quality Japanese washi paper providing structural support and false margins for presentation.

The composition of the engraving is based on the historical painting "The Battle of the Granicus" (1665) in the Louvre Museum by Charles Le Brun (1619–1690), depicting Alexander the Great leading his cavalry across the Granicus River in battle with the Persian army in 334 B.C.

The impression is strong, crisp and rich. There are repairs to small chips and bumps to the outer edge of the sheet which otherwise remains in good condition with no stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 15.2 x 24.3 cm
• Inner image borderline: 11.3 x 23.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline in three columns):

• Left (French): “LA VERTU SURMONTE TOUT OBSTACLE / Alexandre ayant passe le Granique, attaque les / Persses á forces inégales, et met en fuite leur / innombrable multitude” (Translation: VIRTUE OVERCOMES EVERY OBSTACLE / Having crossed the Granicus, Alexander attacks the Persians with unequal forces and puts their countless multitude to flight)
• Centre (German): “Durch aus nichts hält den Läuff / des Tapffern Helden auf. / Nach dem der grosse Alexander über den Fluß granicus / gesehet greifft Er das ünzählbare Heer der Perser mit / seiner geringen Armee dennoch an und erhalt das Feld.” (Translation: Absolutely nothing stops the course of the brave hero. After the great Alexander was seen over the Granicus River, he nevertheless attacks the innumerable army of the Persians with his small army and wins the field.)
• Right (Latin): “VIRTUS OMNI OBICE MAJOR. / Alexander, superato Granico, Persas imparibus / copiis aggreditur eorumque innumerabilem ex= / ercitum fundit.” (Translation: VIRTUE GREATER THAN EVERY OBSTACLE. Alexander, having crossed the Granicus, attacks the Persians with unequal forces and scatters their countless army.)

References:

• Nagler 6 (Georg Kaspar Nagler, “Neues allgemeines Künstler-Lexicon,” vol. 12, 1842, Munich, E. A. Fleischmann, p. 550, cat. no. 6) — Digitally available via Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/10258649bsb/page/550/mode/2up
• Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum: Museum Number CRemshard AB 3.4 — http://kk.haum-bs.de/?id=c-remshard-ab3-0004

Price & Shipping:

AU$198 (approximately US$138.31 / €123.15 / £104.47), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this small and highly detailed engraving, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Augustin Legrand, “The Spirit of a Child Arrived in the Presence of the Almighty”, c. 1800–05

Augustin Legrand (born Auguste-Claude-Simon Legrand; inscribed in the plate as “Amb.ᵉ Le Grand” / Ambroise Legrand, the printmaker's professional pseudonym) (1765–c.1815). A notable French master of stipple engraving/etching in the crayon-manner, and independent fine-art publishing

“The Spirit of a Child Arrived in the Presence of the Almighty”, circa 1800–1805

Contextual Commentary:

This finely executed stipple engraving depicts a serene winged angel holding a symbolic palm frond, gently guiding the ascending spirit of a young child into the celestial realm. The composition is based on a celebrated lost work by the Reverend Matthew William Peters, R.A. (1742–1814). Peters occupied a unique position in the late 18th-century art world, balancing his duties as Chaplain to the Prince of Wales with a highly successful career as a painter. The British Museum biographical archives famously capture his artistic versatility, noting he was a "painter of portraits, historical and fancy pictures, and of half-naked women."

Artworks carrying this specific imagery held profound emotional and social weight during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods, an era marked by devastatingly high rates of child mortality. Rather than dwelling on the tragedy of early death, pieces like this offered immense spiritual solace to grieving families. By emphasising a peaceful, immediate ascension where God “shall wipe away all tears”—inscribed below the image from Revelation 7:17 (King James Version)—this print shifted the focus toward salvation and eternal peace. This particular edition highlights the cross-cultural reach of these comforting religious motifs, translated here by a French master engraver for an international European market.

Technical Details & Condition:

Stipple engraving and etching on heavy wove paper, trimmed around the image and professional backed with archival quality washi paper to provide structural support.

The impression is strong but with abrasions and small replenished losses such as the lower left corner. Aside from the restorations, the sheet remains is good condition for its large size and age with no significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 53.1 x 38.7 cm
• Inner image borderline: 49.8 x 37.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “Painted by the Rev. W.^m Peters of Exeter College Oxford & R.A.”
• Centre: “The SPIRIT of a CHILD arriv'd in the PRESENCE of the ALMIGHTY / And the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto / living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes”
• Right: “Engraved by Amb.^ᵉ Le Grand”

Price & Shipping:

AU$277 (approximately US$192.74 / €172.08 / £145.91), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this large and finely executed stipple engraving, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.