Eugene Tommasi, “À Tanger”, 1879

Eugene Tommasi (born 19^th century)—an Italian Orientalist artist (see the following example of his work: “The Moroccan Wedding Dance” (https://www.artrenewal.org/artworks/eugene-tommasi/the-morrocan-wedding-dance/9016)

Note that the publisher of this plate, the widow of Alfred Cadart (1828–1875) publishing as Veuve A. Cadart (1868–1881), has identified the printmaker of this print as “Tomassi” (see plate 492: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8527606k/f51.item), but this information is inconsistent with the name inscribed on the plate, “E. Tommasi”. Of course, there may be variations in the spelling of the artist’s name and this would explain the anomaly.

“À Tanger” (In Tangier), 1879, after a painting by the artist (as inscribed in the plate) published and printed in Paris by Veuve A. Cadart in the art periodical “L'Illustration Nouvelle”, vol. 11, 1879 (see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8527606k/f36.item).

Etching with plate tone on cream laid paper with deckle edges on three sides and wide margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 48.8 x 33.6 cm; (platemark) 24.3 x 16.2 cm.

Inscribed in plate at lower left: “E. Tommasi”.

Lettered in plate along the lower edge: (left) “E. Tommasi pinx et sculp”; (right) “V^ve A. Cadart Edit. Imp. 56 B^ard Haussmann Paris”.

Condition: a strong impression showing minor movement to the printing plate. Beyond minor marks in the margins, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no significant stains.

I am selling this strong image of a swaggering bare-chested Moor holding with self-assured pride his Moroccan snaphance or Afedali rifle (see https://www.alamy.com/morocco-snaphance-or-afedali-rifle-of-the-19th-century-image244357638.html) — his posturing is understandable mindful that only a year before this etching was executed a shipment of a thousand of these flintlock rifles were imported into Morocco (forgive me if I’m wrong about this)—for the total cost of AU$232 (currently US$155.59/EUR140.44/GBP118.55 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. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$232) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this seldom seen etching on the art market, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.