Augustin Massé, “A View of Venice”, c.1886, after Félix Ziem

Augustin Massé (aka Pierre Augustin Massé) (fl.1880–1894)

“A View of Venice”, c.1886, a rare pencil-signed proof before lettering for publication, after Félix Ziem’s (aka Felix Francois Georges Philibert Ziem) (1821–1911) painting, “Venise, vue du palais des Doges” in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris (see https://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/oeuvres/venise-vue-du-palais-des-doges-71099), with a hand inscribed dedication by Augustin Massé to his teacher and friend, Émile Boilvin (1845–1899).

Etching on fine laid paper with wide margins inscribed with the artist’s signature and dedication to Émile Boilvin.

Size: (sheet) 33 x 38.5cm: (plate) 23 x 28.7cm; (image borderline) 17.6 x 24.6cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “PA Massé”; (right) “Ziem”.

Inscribed in pencil below the image borderline: (right) "A mon maitre et ami Boilvin/ Aug. Massé” (To my teacher/master and friend Boilvin/ Aug[ustin] Massé).

The British Museum holds a similar etching executed by Alfred Brunet-Debaines (aka Alfred Louis Brunet-Debaines) (1845–1939) and offers the following description: “View of Venice, with gondola in the centre foreground, beyond at right a ship, and in the background the city, dominated by the campanile; after a painting by Ziem (Musée d'Orsay, Paris)/ 1887” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1887-0613-214 [BM inv.no. 1887,0613.214]). Interestingly, the British Museum also holds another etching of the same painting by Ziem by an unidentified printmaker: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1922-0722-73 (BM inv.no. 1922,0722.73).

Condition: a strong and near faultless impression with wide margins in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or signs of handling.

I am selling this exceptionally beautiful impression that is pencil-signed by the artist with a dedication to his teacher and friend, for AU$282 in total (currently US $176.32/ EUR 168.98/ GBP 140.28 at the time of posting 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 $282) as this is my currency.

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