Lucien Dautrey (1851–1926)
Descriptive
title only: “Two peasant women raking”, 1900, after Jean-Francois Millet (1814–1875), published by the Société des
Aquafortistes (Note: I have been unsuccessful in finding the original painting
or drawing on which this print is based and would be grateful for information.)
Etching on
cream laid paper, printed in sanguine ink with remarque and signed by the
artist in pencil at lower left and stamped by the Société des Aquafortistes in
violet ink at lower right
Size: (sheet)
19.5 x 29 cm; (plate) 14.5 x 19.8 cm; (image borderline) 11.8 x 17.6 cm
Lettered above
the image borderline: “Planche publiée par Société des Aquafortistes français
le 1er Juillet 1900 et strictement réservée aux Sociétaires” (Transl. “Plate
published by Society of French Aquafortists July 1, 1900 and strictly reserved
for the members”)
Inscribed
within the image borderline: (lower left) “J. F. M.”; (lower right) LD. Aq”
Pencil signed
by the artist (?) below the image borderline at left.
Remarque featuring
three eggs in a nest below the image borderline at right-of-centre.
Stamped with
violet ink by the Société des Aquafortistes below the image borderline at
right.
Condition: well-printed
impression with full margins in near pristine condition (i.e. there are no
tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or foxing).
I am selling
this exceptionally rare pencil-signed, remarque proof by a sadly overshadowed
French master who was taught the great masters, Charles Courtry and Félix
Bracquemond, and who is best known for his graphic interpretations of paintings
by artists within the circle of the Barbizon School—his most celebrated etching
is arguably after Jules Breton’s famous “Gleaner” (1877)— for the total cost of
AU$138 (currently US$105.97/EUR91.43/GBP80.83 at the time of this listing)
including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.
If you are
interested in purchasing this delicately luminous print of women raking, 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
Although
Dautrey is one of many nineteenth century reproductive printmakers whose name
is now almost forgotten, one look at this seemingly simple etching shows what
masterworks have been hidden by the gate-keepers of history. This print may be
a graphic interpretation of Millet’s artwork but to my eyes it has qualities
that express more than an objective representation. For example, I see and feel
the softness of light illuminating the scene (my apologies for those who
know that feeling light is impossible). Moreover, I also sense the open space
surrounding these women and can almost taste the dust and grit in the air (again,
more apologies for what may well be the impossibility of tasting anything when simply
looking at a print).
Regarding the
simply drawn/inscribed very beautiful remarque image (i.e. the small image of
three eggs in a nest shown below the image borderline) such a small study usually
serves the purpose in trial proofs where an artist can test the “biting”/etching
strength of the acid/mordant in relation to the length of time the plate is
left in the acid. In this case I feel that Dautrey may be stretching the truth
that this impression with the full publication line lettered at the top is a trial proof. Of course I may be
wrong and the pencilled signature may attest to
its special status as a before publication proof. In reality, however, common
practice at the turn of the 19th century regarding the information presented
on a print when it is released on the market did not always reflect a noble ethical
standard. Indeed, because the rarity of remarque proofs tended to be worth more
on the art market, artists were not immune to the idea of “forgetting” to
remove remarques when they the print was formally published.
Is it possible that this an interpretation of Millet meant to look like an actual Millet? The two woman seem like they are from different elements of JFM paintings and the trees also seem separate to me.
ReplyDeleteI found another, related print of a couple lifting faggots (perhaps this was part of a pair or a series?). It also has aspects of Millet's paintings but doesn't seem to be a direct copy.
Maybe I'm wrong about this and someone will come up with a better proof. I kind of like that it feels close to an original print.
Thanks Mark for trying to find the original painting.
DeleteRegarding my use of terms for etchings like this that are reproductive copies of other artworks, I use the word “interpretation” to propose that the copy offers another artist’s creative vision of it rather than a feature-by-feature recreation of the original. My use of the term “translation” is when a painting with all its colours and brushstrokes or a three-dimensional artwork (sculpture, pot or piece of lace) is recreated in a print. I probably use other terms as well that aren’t surfacing in my head at the moment, but the descriptive term that I tend to avoid is “reproductive print” as it needs a full explanation to avoid suggesting that a copy is a photogravure or photographic reproduction.
Understood. I guess I was falling short of wondering whether the print was perhaps meant to "entice" the buyer into believing they were getting a Millet copy or if it's meant to be an homage? It's just interesting that he uses the "JFM" signature so boldly. Of course my theory goes out the window if a drawing of this image turns up.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely captivated by this print (as you know!). It has a motion that's so different than Millet - whose figures seem to be taking their time doing their work. It's like the difference between van Gogh's drawing of the Diggers and Millet's print.