Théodore’s etching after Francisque Millet’s painting, “Christ with the Woman from Canaan” 1642–79

Théodore (fl 1660)—printmaker/etcher for Francisque Millet (aka Jean François Millet; François Milé) (1642–79)

“Christ with the Woman from Canaan” (TIB title), 1642–79, after a painting by Francisque Millet, published in the first edition by Simon (fl1600s). Note: Jean Crépy (c1660–1739), who along with Simon were the publishers of Théodore’s etchings after Millet, published a third edition of this print lettered with Crépy’s name in the publication details (see BM no. S.6418).

Etching on fine laid paper trimmed along the platemark.

Size: (sheet) 20.8 x 29.7 cm; (image borderline) 20.3 x 29.3 cm

Inscribed in the plate at the lower edge of the image borderline: (centre) "A Paris chez Mr. Simon terre de Cambray au Lion d'or Avec Privilege du Roy"; (right) "Francisque pinxit"

Lifetime impression. State i (of iii)

TIB 1978 7(5).22(343); Robert-Dumesnil 1835-71 I.256.11.I; Bartsch V.343.22

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“Landscape with Jesus Christ in front of the woman of Canaan in the centre, six Apostles to the left, trees and a town in the background; after Francisque Millet” (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1499812&partId=1&people=114692&peoA=114692-2-23&page=2)

Condition: crisp lifetime impression trimmed along the platemark. The sheet is in very good condition for its age (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, significant stains, abrasions or foxing) with the appropriate age-toning.

I am selling this historically significant etching capturing Francisque Millet’s changing interest away from the ostensible subject of the portrayed biblical narrative to his fascination with the landscape setting for the total cost of AU$345 (currently US$270.78/EUR230/GBP204.03 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this early rendering of a non-manicured/natural landscape—with a biblical narrative unfolding in the foreground—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

Just in case there may be folk who are thinking that this Millet doesn’t look like the work of the Barbizon master, Jean-Francois Millet (1814-1875), they are correct. This print was executed two centuries earlier as an interpretative etching of a painting by the great master, Francisque Millet (1642–79).

Although there is a considerable historical gap and significant stylistic differences separating the two artists, the more that I think, the more points of congruence that I see linking them. This is especially true regarding the way that they both integrate the figures with the landscape rather than using the landscape as simply a background for the figures.