Henry
Valentin (aka Henry
Augustin Valentin) (1822–1886)
“A
Worker at Sèvres” (aka “Un Ouvrier de Sèvres"), 1863,
plate
70 from the second volume of prints produced by the Société des
Aquafortistes, “Eaux-Fortes Modernes: Originales et Inédites”, published in
Paris in monthly installments from September 1863 to August 1864 by Cadart
& Luquet (aka Alfred Cadart & Jules Luquet) (fl.1863–1867) and
printed by Auguste Delâtre (aka Auguste Marie Delâtre) (1822–1907).
Note
that the plate numbering for the second volume continues from the first volume
(i.e., from plate 61 to plate 120).
Etching with masked plate tone on laid paper
with full margins as published.
Size: (sheet) 48 x 32.2 cm; (plate) 31.5 x
23.4 cm; (image borderline) 26.7 x 19.5 cm.
Signed in plate within the image borderline:
(lower right corner) “h. Valintin”.
Numbered and lettered in plate beyond the
image borderline: (upper right corner) “70.”; (lower left) “H. Valentin sculpt.”;
(lower centre) “UN OUVRIER DE SÈVRES./ Paris, Publié par A. CADART & LUQUET,
Éditeurs, 79, Rue de Richelieu.”; (lower right) “Imp. Delâtre, Rue St.
Jacques, 303, Paris.”
The British Museum and the Philadelphia Museum
of Art offer descriptions of this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1864-1008-280 & https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/7341.
See also the detailed description offered by
Art of the Print: http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/valentin_henry_aworkerfromsevres.htm.
Condition: a strong and well-printed
impression with generously wide margins. Beyond minor handling marks and
dustiness, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds,
significant stains or foxing.
I am selling this revealing look at a potter
at the world famous porcelain works at Sèvres—note the potter’s right leg propelling
the “kick wheel”, the kneaded balls of clay prepared/deaired for throwing on
the wheel, the large natural sponge beside his left hand used for soaking up
excess water and his use of a wooden template form/”jigger” to refine/”turn”
the footed bowl he is working on (my apologies for any mistakes with my
interpretation of what he is doing)—for the total cost of AU$236 (currently US$169.58/EU157.23/GBP132.53
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 rare
and historically significant record of a potter at work in the 19th
century, 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
