Paul Rajon, “The Blue Boy”, 1881, after Gainsborough

Paul Rajon (aka Paul Adolphe Rajon) (1843–1888)

“The Blue Boy”, 1881, an exceptionally rare proof-state impression before lettering for publication with remarque sketches in the margins and what may be a wiped area of the artist’s thumb mark at upper left, after Thomas Gainsborough’s (1727–1788) famous painting, “The Blue Boy”, in the Huntingdon Art Gallery, California.

Etching with drypoint remarque images and plate tone on laid paper (with partial watermark).

Size: (sheet) 44.3 x 30.2cm; (plate) 28.4 x 20.7cm; (image borderline) 23.9 x 15.9cm.

The British Museum offers the following description of this print in its published state: “The 'Blue Boy', portrait of Jonathan Buttall after Gainsborough (Waterhouse 106), standing whole-length slightly turned to left in a landscape, looking to the front with his left hand on his hip and holding his hat by his side in his right; published in 'L'Art'” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1882-0211-183 [inv. 1882,0211.183]).

Note that I have previously listed the following prints after Gainsborough's “The Blue Boy”: Auguste Brouet’s etching and aquatint (https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2020/10/auguste-brouets-etching-and-aquatint.html) and Léopold Flameng’s etching (https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2020/03/leopold-flamengs-etching-blue-boy-1862.html).

Beraldi 102 (Henri Béraldi 1891, “Les Graveurs du XIXe Siècle: Guide de l'Amateur d'Estampes Modernes: PILLEMENT–SAINT-ÈVRE”, vol. 11, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 162, cat. no. 102).

Beraldi makes the interesting comment regarding Rajon’s remarque proofs (like this print): (transl.) “… there is a rich clientele fond of luxury proofs and remarque proofs … collected at very high prices as soon as they appeared” and proposed: “Rajon used and abused sketches in the margins” (pp. 153–54).

Condition: a richly inked trial proof with remarque images in the margins and a wiped area at upper left where the artist possibly held the plate during the wiping of the plate before printing. Beyond a pencil inscription by a past collector along the lower edge, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this exceptionally rare proof-state etching before lettering with freely inscribed remarque images, for AU $289 in total (currently US $179.64/ EUR 174.19/ GBP 144.61 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 $289) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkable etching translating Gainsborough's famous painting into line, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.