Paul Rajon’s etching, “After the Masquerade”, c.1884, after Gérôme

Paul Rajon (aka Paul Adolphe Rajon) (1843–1888)

“After the Masquerade”, c.1884, after Jean-Léon Gérôme’s (1824–1904) painting, “Suite d'un bal masqué”, 1857, in the Musée Condé in Chantilly (France), published in “The Art Journal”, vol. 46, p. 333, by J S Virtue & Co (1820s–1908) in 1884 in London.

Archive.org offers this volume for online viewing and free-of-charge dowloading (see page 333 for this print in its context):

https://archive.org/details/gri_33125006187682/page/n405/mode/2up/search/Rajon.

Etching on cream coloured wove paper with full margins (as published).

Size: (sheet) 24.2 x 33.8 cm; (image borderline) 15.7 x 22.6 cm; note that the plate is larger than the published page).

Inscribed on plate within the image borderline: (lower left) “JL GEROME PINXT”; (lower right) “Rajon scl”.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “PAINTED BY J. L. GERÔME. H.R.A.”; (centre) “AFTER THE MASQUERADE./ LONDON: J. S. VIRTUE & Co. LIMITED.”; (right) “ETCHED BY PAUL RAJON”.

 Beraldi 7 (Henri Beraldi 1885–92, “Les graveurs du 19e siècle; guide de l'amateur d'estampes modernes”, vol. 11, Paris, L Conquet, p, 158, cat. no. 7).

The Walters Art Museum offers the following description of Gérôme’s painting—mindful that Gérôme made copies of the original painting in the Musée Condé:

 “In this painting, showing the outcome of a duel after a costume ball, Gérôme replicates, with slight variations, a composition he had executed for the Duc d'Aumale in 1857. It is dawn on a wintry day in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris, and Pierrot succumbs in the arms of the Duc de Guise. A Venetian doge examines Pierrot's wound while Domino clasps his head in despair. To the right, the victorious American Indian departs, accompanied by Harlequin” (https://art.thewalters.org/detail/12697/the-duel-after-the-masquerade/).

See also the description of this print from a different edition offered by the British Museum:

https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3485267&page=1&partId=1&searchText=paris%20wounded.

Condition: well-printed, near faultless impression with full margins as published. The sheet is in near pristine condition for its considerable age (i.e. there are no tears, holes, losses, creases, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of use).

I am selling this sensitively executed original etching often reproduced in books as it exemplifies the leaning to romantic images in the 19^th century by showing the grim aftermath of a duel following what must have been an altercation with bruised pride at masquerade ball, for the total cost of AU$190 (currently US$110.22/EUR102.95/GBP94.64 at the time of posting 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 purchasing this visually arresting scene that (to my eyes) captures perfectly the silvery dull light of a winter’s dawn in the Bois de Boulogne—a large park in the 16th arrondissement of Paris—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.