Charles Bellay, “Portrait of Paul Baudry”, 1876

Charles Bellay (aka Charles Paul Alphonse Bellay) (1826–1900)

“Portrait of Paul Baudry”—the French painter and draughtsman (aka Paul Jacques Aimé Baudry) (1828–1886), 1876, a first state impression with dedication from Charles Bellay to Paul Baudry inscribed in plate at lower right, before lettering with the publication details for the Société Française de Gravure (1868–1901). I understand that the Société Française de Gravure published this print in Paris in its lettered state in 1886 (see IFF, vol. 2, pp. 106–07, cat. no. 14).

Etching with drypoint on chine collé on heavy wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 41.2 x 26.5cm; (plate) 29.5 x 18.7cm; (chine collé) 28.2 x 17.6cm; (image borderline) 26.4 x 15.7cm.

Inscribed in plate: (upper left) “.Baudry./ .Paul.”; (lower right) “A mon [ami?] [P?] Baudy/ Ch. Bellay/ 1876”.

IFF 14 (Jean Laren 1937, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 2, pp. 106–07, cat. no. 14 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488531x/f115.double#]).

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed impression. The chine collé has been reattached to the original support sheet and there is a restored abrasion in the chine collé at lower right. Beyond minor surface marks in the margins, the sheet has no holes, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this exceptionally beautiful portrait of the renowned artist, Paul Baudry, capturing his friendly but reserved disposition—perhaps it’s Baudry’s projecting elbow that hints at a boundary to his amiability, but the softness of his expression, the whimsical twist of his moustache and ruffled hair suggests his inner warmth—for AU$276 (currently US$180.62/EUR166.97/GBP138.96 at the time of this listing) 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$276) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this outstanding portrait, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.