August Bertrand, “A Lady Reading a Letter”, 1869, after Gerard Terborch

August Bertrand (fl. late 1800s)—a French painter and lithographer, possibly based in Lyon, who is not well-documented in standard references, nevertheless, he was both highly skilled (see the painting, “Le Bazaar”, c1850–99 [https://www.artnet.com/artists/a-bertrand/le-bazar-J4t6SxLoiY8vzZdPtAtT8g2]) and clearly willing to explore developments in art at the time (see the lithograph, “La femme au lorgnon”, 1896 [https://www.artnet.com/artists/a-bertrand/la-femme-au-lorgnon-z9tGr-hl9jCGfjNEinS4iw2]).

“A Lady Reading a Letter” (aka “A lady Reading a Letter with a Messenger, in an Interior”; “A Domestic Scene”), 1869, a pencil-signed proof impression lithograph, printed in Paris by Lemercier & Cie. (fl. 1827–1901) after Gerard Terborch’s (aka Gerard ter Borch II; Geraert ter Burch: Gerard Terburg) (1617–1681) painting of the same composition, c1658, in the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (see https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerard_ter_Borch_-_A_Lady_Reading_a_Letter.JPG.\

Note that the Statens Museum for Kunst holds what seems to be a variant of Terborch’s painting with significant differences to the background shown in this lithograph; see https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerard_ter_Borch_-_Domestic_Scenery_-_KMSsp415_-_Statens_Museum_for_Kunst.jpg.

Lithograph on chine collé on heavy wove paper, pencil-signed, with wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 57.7 x 40 cm; (chine collé) 39.1 x 29 cm; (image borderline) 37.8 x 26 cm.

Lettered below the image borderline: (centre) “Imp.Lemercier r.de Seine 57 Paris”.

Inscribed in pencil below the image: (lower right corner) “August Bertrand/ Lyon 1869”.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with generously wide margins. Beyond minor surface dustiness, the sheet is in a very good condition for its large size with no tears, holes or significant stains.

I am selling this large and skilfully executed—possibly even superb—translation of Gerard Terborch’s painting into this marvellous lithograph—note how successful the artist has been in the delicate transitions of grey tones from luminous whites to velvety blacks—for AU$239 (currently US$160.29/EUR144.18/GBP122.44 at the time of posting this print) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$239) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this serene portrayal of everyday life in the Dutch Golden Age—for those wondering about the man holding the staff, (based on other paintings by Terborch) I believe that this is a country postman/messenger—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.