Louis Félix de la Rue’s etching, “The Triumph of Silenus”, c.1755

Louis Félix de la Rue (aka Louis Félix Delarue) (1731–1765)

Note that the Albertina Museum has attributed this print from an impression lettered with the publisher’s address of De Fehrt (aka A J Defehrt) (c.1723–1774) in Paris to Louis Fabritius Dubourg (aka Louis Fabritius Du Bourg; L. F. D. B.; LFDB) (1693–1775) (see https://sammlungenonline.albertina.at/?query=search=/record/objectnumbersearch=[H/III/51/63]&showtype=record). I believe that this attribution is doubtful as the impression shown here is lettered in the plate with the name, “F. R. de la Rue”, as the designer and etcher. Going further, within the image borderline may be seen very faintly inscribed: (lower left corner) “L. F D inv”; (lower right corner) “Sculp”.

“The Triumph of Silenus” (aka “Le Triomphe de Silène”; “Drunken Silenus”; “Trunkener Silen” [Albertina title]), c.1755 (1746–65), from a series of six etchings of bacchanalian scenes.

Etching on laid paper trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline and backed with a support sheet providing wide margins.

Size: (sheet trimmed irregularly) 16.8 x 24.7 cm; (image borderline) 15.8 x 23.6 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “F.R.de la Rue inv. et Sclup.”

Inscribed faintly in plate within the image borderline along the lower edge: (left) “L. F. D inv”; (right) “Sculp”.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline and retaining the lettered text (cut around the line of writing). The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds or significant stains and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins.

I am selling this rare etching—note that this print is not in the collection of the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum or the MET) showing a wild bacchanalian scene with satyrs leading a mule carrying the very drunk Silenus—the tutor and companion of the god of wine, Dionysus—for AU$288 (currently US$192.50/EUR174.17/GBP153.32 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail 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 bold and confidently executed etching, 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