Fernand Desmoulin, “Portrait of Alexandre Dumas fils”, 1896

Fernand Desmoulin (1853–1914)

“Portrait of Alexandre Dumas fils”, 1896

About the Portrait:

Alexandre Dumas fils (1824–1895) was a prominent 19th-century French author and playwright, best known for writing the novel and play “La Dame aux Camélias” (The Lady of the Camellias), which inspired Verdi's opera “La Traviata.” The appendage “fils” (son) distinguished him from his father, the legendary author of “The Three Musketeers.”

Unlike reproductive prints of the era that copied popular paintings, this exceptional portrait was etched by Fernand Desmoulin from life. Published in 1896 shortly after the author's death, this powerful, frontal composition stands as a definitive posthumous tribute to one of France’s most influential literary figures.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching and drypoint with rich plate tone on heavy, buff-coloured Arches laid paper, with wide margins.

This impression is remarkably crisp, deeply inked, and evenly printed—nearly faultless in execution. Aside from minor marks confined to the lower margin edge, the large sheet remains in excellent condition, completely free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 55.7 x 40.9 cm
• Platemark: 39.6 x 27.9 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper-left: “F. Desmoulin”

References:

• IFF 46 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: Daumont–Dorange”, vol. 6, 1954, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, p. 415, cat. no. 46)— Available via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Gallica): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54891736/f427.item
• Musée Carnavalet, Histoire de Paris: inv. no. G.12671— https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/musee-carnavalet/oeuvres/alexandre-dumas-fils-a-mi-corps
• MAH (Musée d'art et d'histoire, Ville de Genève): inv. no. E 2020-0791— https://www.mahmah.ch/collection/oeuvres/alexandre-dumas-fils/e-2020-0791

Price & Shipping:

AU$298 (approximately US$208.10 / €182.94 / £156.25), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this large, imposing, and historic portrait, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.

This print has been sold 

Thomas Major, “View of the Canal near Haarlem”, c. 1750–55

Thomas Major (1719–1799)

“View of the Canal near Haarlem” (Vûe du Canal proche de Haerlem), circa 1750–55

Description

A tranquil river landscape at the edge of twilight, with the moon’s reflection shimmering on a Haarlem canal. In the foreground, a figure with a long pole works among the reeds along the bank. Further back, fishing boats and a line of stakes mark the edges of a fish trap. This exceptional 18th-century etching epitomises the spirit of Dutch Golden Age painting, translating the soft, luminous glow of a cloud-swept night sky into a delicate play of moonlight fracturing across the ripples of water.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on heavy laid paper, trimmed around the platemark and professionally backed on archival-quality washi paper for support and ease of mounting.

This print is based on a painting by Aert van der Neer (also known as Aert van der Meer, and Aert Egeromsz. van der Neer) (circa 1603–1677). It was published in Amsterdam by Pierre Fouquet Junior (active circa 1750–1800) and in Paris by François Basan (also known as Pierre François Basan and Basan et Poignant) (1723–1797).

This is a strong, evenly printed impression. Aside from a restored tear in the lower margin and minor marks, the sheet remains in good condition.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.0 x 30.7 cm
• Platemark: 36.0 x 30.6 cm
• Image borderline: 30.7 x 28.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image border):

• Left: “Vanderneer Pinx^t:”
• Centre: “Vûe du Canal proche de Haerlem. / Gravé d'après le Tableau Original de Vanderneer de même grandeur. / a Amsterdam chez Fouquet Junior. AParis chez Basan graveur ruë S^t. Jaques.”
• Right “Major Sculp^t.”

References:

• Hollstein Dutch 15
• Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1929-111 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200446978
• British Museum: Museum Number 1861,1109.181— https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-1109-181

Price & Shipping:

AU$237 (approximately US$165.34 / €145.25 / £124.21), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this deeply romantic nocturnal canal scene—where the moon casts its reflection through a line of fishing stakes in the foreground—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Claudine Bouzonnet Stella, “The Denial of St Peter”, c. 1694

Claudine Bouzonnet Stella (also known as Claudia Bouzonnet-Stella) (1636–1697)
“The Denial of St Peter”, circa 1694 (1690–1697)

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching with engraving on heavy buff-coloured laid paper, with deckle edges on three sides and wide margins as issued. This is plate 7 from the series of 13—or arguably 14—plates (see BM no. U,7.37 for the British Museum curator’s comments), titled “Life and Passion of Christ” (La Vie et la Passion du Christ, or Het leven en lijden van Christus), published in Paris with privilege from Louis XIV. It is based on an intermediary design by Jacques Stella (1596–1657) and a painting of the same composition, previously attributed to Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665). G. K. Nagler (1847) notes that there are two states of the prints in this series, with the second state lettered, as is the case with this impression.

This is a richly inked, well-printed, and nearly faultless impression. Aside from minor handling marks consistent with the size and age of the print, the sheet remains in excellent condition—free of tears, holes, folds, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 59.5 x 43.5 cm
• Platemark: 45.8 x 36.1 cm
• Image borderline: 42.8 x 34 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image border):

• Left: “N. Poussin Pinx.”
• Right: “Claudia Stella Sculp. / 7.”

References:

• British Museum: Museum Number U,7.43 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_U-7-43
• Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-1988-323 — https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200259034
• British Museum Curator’s comments on the series: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_U-7-37
• Anthony Blunt, “Jacques Stella, the De Masso family and falsifications of Poussin,” Burlington Magazine, vol. CXVI, December 1974, pp. 744–749.
• LeBlanc 7 (Charles Le Blanc, “Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant un dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations,” vol. 3, 1856, p. 589, cat. no. 7)
• Nagler 6 (G.K. Nagler, “Neues allgemeines Künstler-Lexicon,” vol. 17, 1847, p. 308, cat. no. 6)

Price & Shipping:

AU$314 (approximately US$220.37 / €192.95 / £164.64), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this exceptional and large etching (with engraving)—created by one of the few historically documented female printmakers of the late Renaissance, exemplifying the period style of Mannerism—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold