François Nicolas Chifflart, “La Mélancolie”, 1877

François Nicolas Chifflart (1825–1901

“La Mélancolie”, 1877, printed by François Liénard (fl.c.1860s-1880s) and published in Paris as an illustration to the art periodical, “L'Art”, 1877, in volume 8, page 200.

Etching with plate tone on laid paper with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 43 x 30 cm; (plate) 27.8 x 19 cm; (image borderline) 23 x 15.5 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “F. Chifflart .inv. et sc./ L'Art ”; (centre) “LA MÉLANCOLIE.”; (right) “F^çois Liénàrd.Imp.Paris.”

IFF 16 (Inventaire du Fonds Français: Bibliothèque Nationale, Département des Estampes); Beraldi 4 (Les Graveurs du dix-neuvième siècle).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “A figure representing [melancholy], looking despondent, leans against a rock, head cast downwards to the left; she holds a trumpet in her hand; in the background, a crowd of triumphant figures, including a figure on a winged horse at right, others brandishing torches or a laurel wreath; beyond, a domed building with columns on a platform; published in 'L'Art', Vol. VIII, p. 200, 1877. Etching” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1878-0511-291).

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed (near faultless) impression in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or signs of handling.

I am selling this impressively strong and bold etching showing the personification of melancholy—mindful that at the time of the etching revival when this print was executed, there was (I understand) an interesting leaning towards the nostalgia and a reappraisal of melancholic yearning for deep knowledge (as was formerly expressed in Durer’s famous engraving, “Melancholy”)—for the total cost of AU$271 (currently US$178.77/EUR163.49/GBP139.74 at the time of posting this) 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 fabulous etching showing the symbolic figure of Melancholy holding what may be her extinguished torch or trumpet of fame (forgive me if I’m wrong about this), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.