Charles-François Daubigny’s (1817–78) etching, “Le Bateau Atelier”, 1861

Charles-François Daubigny (1817–78)

“Le Bateau Atelier” (aka “The Studio on the Boat” [Melot title]), 1861, from the series/album, "Voyage en Bateau" [The Boat Trip], published in 1862 by Alfred Cadart (1828–75), Paris, and later in the "Gazette des Beaux-Arts", 1874, and printed by Auguste Delâtre (1822–1907). This impression is from the "Gazette des Beaux-Arts" edition of 750 copies (?).

Etching and drypoint with plate tone on laid paper

Size: (irregularly cut sheet) 16.6 x 22.6 cm; (plate) 12.7 x 17.9 cm; (image borderline) 10.2 x 13.3 cm

Inscribed below the image borderline: (left) “Daubigny”; (right) “Imp. Delȃtre Paris”

Final state: Deteil describes this impression as ii (of ii) and Melot describes it as iii (of iii). Melot does not provide details as to why this impression is the third state which is unusual for Melot (see p. 281).

Melot D111 (Michel Melot 1981, "Graphic Art of the Pre-Impressionists”, Harry N. Abrams, New York, p. 281); Delteil 111 (Loys Delteil 1902, “Le Peintre-Graveur Illustré (XIXe et XXe siècles)”, 31 vols, Paris)

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Artist in studio on boat, painting view beside window. 1861” (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1348541&partId=1&searchText=Daubigny&page=1)

Condition: richly-inked and well-printed impression with margins. There are faint traces that the print was once window-mounted, but the toning and glue residue are only slightly visible. There are also light pencil notations in the margin at lower right. Beyond these minor issues the print is in excellent condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing).

I am selling this rare and even iconic Daubigny etching for the total cost of AU$179 (currently US$115.36/EUR97.74/GBP90.07 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this rare self portrait of Daubigny at work in his famous studio boat, “Le Botin”—the little box—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

This is arguably Daubigny’s most famous print from the series/album, "Voyage en Bateau" [The Boat Trip], in that it reveals the artist’s approach to painting the landscape from his tiny studio boat that he affectionately referred to as "The little Box". What I find especially revealing about his approach, or more precisely his mindset when painting—noting that the portrayed brushstrokes shown on the canvas upon which Daubigny works are not pointless perfunctory scribbles, but are freely sketched marks referring to the boat and trees seen through boat cabin’s entrance—is spelt out by the word ‘réalisme’ inscribed on the back of the canvas in the foreground shadows and what I am advised by Wickeden in Melot’s (1981), "Graphic Art of the Pre-Impressionists”, "'Le travail tient l’â’me en joie’ (Work keeps the soul joyous)” (p. 281).