Auguste Brouet’s etching and aquatint, “The Blue Boy”, after Thomas Gainsborough

Auguste Brouet (1872–1941)

“The Blue Boy” (aka “L’enfant en bleu”), c1875 (note that this is a tentative date based on the period when Brouet was making large reproductive etchings printed in colour—which this plate was later editioned), after Thomas Gainsborough’s (1727–1788) famous painting (c1770) when it was still held in London before shifting home to the Henry E. Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino, California in 1922. This is a trial-proof signed in pencil before lettering for publication in Munich by Bischoff & Höfle (fl.1900–1909) and its later printing in colour. According to the very interesting website, “Auguste Brouet - Le Journal”, there are two editions after this trial proof: one was an edition of 175 copies before lettering that were sold at 100 Fr; the other edition was also an edition 175, but with the published lettered details that were sold at 50 Fr (see http://rep.auguste-brouet.org/index.php?pages/LEs-eaux-fortes-en-couleur-de-reproduction).

Etching and aquatint, trial proof before lettering printed in brown ink on laid paper, hand signed in pencil by the artist.

Size: (sheet) 64.2 x 44.7 cm; (plate) 60 x 41.8 cm; (image borderline) 56.3 x 39.3 cm.

Condition: strong impression (trial proof) with small margins in near faultless condition (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, losses, stains, foxing or significant signs of handling) apart from pencil notations by a previous collector at the lower edge of the sheet (recto).

I am selling this large and rare etching with aquatint—note that I have been unable to find this print in any of the major museums—after one of the most famous paintings by Gainsborough for $498 (currently US$356.42/EUR303.10/GBP276.13 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) 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 stunning museum-quality, pencil signed, artist’s proof before the later edition when the plate was printed in colour, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Note that I have listed another etching of Gainsborough’s painting executed by Léopold Flameng which is currently still available: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2020/03/leopold-flamengs-etching-blue-boy-1862.html. 

This print has been sold (as has the Flameng)