Achille Sirouy’s lithograph, “Peintre Faisant un Portrait”, c1880, after Josse van Craesbeeck

Achille Sirouy (aka Achille Louis Joseph Sirouy) 1834–1904

“Peintre Faisant un Portrait”, c1880 (date based on the artist’s acclaim as a lithographer at this time, his publication of 25 lithographs after Boucher in 1881 and the active date of the inscribed publisher), proof impression before the addition of publication details, printed by Lemercier (fl.1827–1899), hand-signed in pencil by Sirouy with dedication to a friend and printer’s details. Lithograph after Josse van Craesbeeck’s (aka Joos van Craesbeke; Joes van Kraesbeick) (1605–1662), “Peintre Faisant un Portrait” (Painter Making a Portrait), 1626, formerly known as “L'atelier de Craesbeeck” in the Musée du Louvre (inv. no. 1179; MR 631).

Regarding the portrayed subject of Van Cresbeeck’s painting, the Musée du Louvre offers the following insights: (Transl.) “Socialite genre scene with probable allusion to the theme of the five senses. … the object of typical fanciful identifications: Craesbeeck portraying his master Brouwer, Brouwer painting Rubens, Brouwer painting Frans Hals, the family of the painter Brouwer ...” (https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010062183).

Lithograph printed in black ink on chine collé on heavy wove paper with wide margins, proof impression before lettering, hand-signed in pencil with dedication.

Size: (sheet) 48.1 x 56.5 cm; (chine collé/image borderline) 35.7 x 45.3 cm

Inscribed in pencil below the image borderline: (left) “J. Craesbeeke pinx.”; (centre) “Imp. Lemercier”; (right) “a mon amie  Louis Lunois/ A[...] Sirouy”. Note that I am not familiar with the name, Louis Lunois, but Alexandre Lunois (1863–1916) is well-known as a lithographer and was a pupil of Achille Sirouy.

Condition: a strong and well-printed lithograph with generously wide margins. Beyond a few dot restorations, this huge print is in a remarkably good condition for its age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this exceptionally rare proof-state hand-signed impression showing what is purported to be the painter, Adriaen Brouwer, at work in his studio—mindful that Brouwer introduced the original designer/painter of this scene (Josse van Craesbeeck) to the art of painting while they were both in prison—for the total cost of AU$256 (currently US$185.41/EUR157.90/GBP135.17 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 incredibly well-executed lithograph that (to my eyes) captures the tactile appeal of the original brushstrokes of Van Craesbeeck’s painting and the luminosity where paint has been applied thinly (such as in the background), 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