Fernand Desmoulins, “Sperata”, c.1890, after Jean Jacques Henner

Fernand Desmoulins (1858–1914)

“Sperata”, c.1890, drypoint with aquatint after Jean Jacques Henner (1829–1905), a proof before lettering for publication with the details for the printer, L Eudes (fl.1876–1888), in the supplement to the Paris-Noël Journal in Paris (see a lettered state impression offered by Pamono: https://www.pamono.com.au/fernand-desmoulin-sperata-etching-late-19th-century).

Drypoint with aquatint printed in umber coloured ink on buff-coloured wove paper, titled and signed in the plate before lettering with publication details.

Size: (sheet) 38.2 x 30.5cm; (platemark [soft]) 32 X 24.7cm; (image borderline) 27.1 x 21.5cm.

Inscribed in plate: (above the image borderline at centre) “HENNER”; (within the image borderline at upper left) “HENN[E]R”; (within the image borderline at lower right) “f Desmoulin”: (below the image borderline at centre) “SPERATA”.

IFF 27 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève 1953, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: Daumont-Dorange”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 6, p. 413, cat. no. 27 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54891736/f425]). Note that the IFF catalogue entry for this print has references to additional artists involved in this print that may need to be explored (viz. Maurice Dussolier and L Abbema).

See also the British Museum’s description of this print with a remarque before lettering; see BM inv. no. 1931,1008.12.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression. Beyond minor chips and bumps to the edges, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no significant stains.

I am selling this very beautiful and sensitively executed portrait of a young woman, for AU$212 (currently US$137.23/ EUR130.14/ GBP108.62 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$212) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this exceptional drypoint where the modelling of the portrayed young woman is so finely handled that the portrait seems almost to be in soft focus, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.