Auguste Rodin's drypoint, "La Ronde", 1883–84

Auguste Rodin (aka Pierre Auguste Rodin) (1840–1917)

“La Ronde” (The Round), 1883–84, described as an original drypoint (viz. “La Ronde, pointe sèche originale, inédite, de A. Rodin”) in the table of contents of “L’Art et les Artistes”, 1905, in which this print was published.

Note: Victoria Thorson (1975) in her catalogue raisonné for Rodin’s graphics advises that Delteil (1905) describes this published impression as a heliogravure, but Thorson also gives the description of it as an original print as published by “L’Art et les Artistes” without clarifying whether the published print was an original or a heliogravure. When I examined this print through a loupe, I did not see the tell-tale honeycomb effect in the lines that would meet the description of a heliogravure. Consequently, until I can see this print under stronger magnification, I believe that this print is indeed an original drypoint. After reading the article, “Lord of the Dance”, posted by “Art of the Print”—a reputable print connoisseur whose opinion I value—addressing this print in its third state (see http://adventuresintheprinttrade.blogspot.com/2010/08/lord-of-dance.html), I feel confident about my view. My apologies if I am wrong.

Drypoint on cream laid paper with full margins as published as an original print by Rodin in “L’Art et les Artistes” in1905, inscribed on plate with the publication’s monogram, “AA” (Art and Artists) at lower right.

Size: (sheet) 29.7 x 21.1 cm; (plate) 22.6 x 17.6 cm.

Inscribed on plate with the publisher’s monogram at lower right: “AA

State iii (of iii) with plate bevelled at edges and the addition of the monogram (“AA”).

Thorson 1975 V3 (Victoria Thorson 1975, “Rodin Graphics, a Catalogue Raisonné of Drypoints and Book Illustration”, San Francisco, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, p. 32, cat. no. V State Three) Delteil, no. 5, State iii/iii (Loys Delteil 1906–1926, “Le peintre-graveur illustre”. 31 vols. Paris: Published by the author, Reprint. New York: Collectors Editions, Da Capo Press, 1969. Vol. 30).

Master Works Fine Art Gallery offer a wealth of insights about this print: https://www.masterworksfineart.com/artists/auguste-rodin/etching/la-ronde-1883-1884/id/w-3349

See also a brief description offered by Affordable Art:

https://www.affordableart101.com/Auguste-Rodin-La-Ronde-original-drypoint-etching-p/8336.htm

Condition: well-printed faultless impression with wide margins (as published) in pristine condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, losses, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling).

I am selling this small and delicately powerful drypoint from one of the greatest masters of the nineteenth century for AU$642 in total (currently US$440.63/EUR396.09/GBP336.33 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in acquiring this fluidly drawn scene where the loose treatment of the dancing figures almost "breathes" with their lively action, 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