Alfred Louis Brunet-Debaines, “St. Denis”, 1885, after Turner

Alfred Louis Brunet-Debaines (1845–1939)

“St. Denis”, 1885, mezzotint after Joseph Mallord William Turner’s (1775–1851) watercolour (c.1833), in the collection of the Tate Gallery, London, showing the suburb of Saint-Denis in Paris with the Basilica of Saint-Denis seen across the River Seine on a moonlit night, published in London by Seeley & Co. (fl.1839–early 1900s) in 1885.

Regarding the painting, the Tate Gallery offers the following insights: “Although St Denis is ostensibly the subject of this image, the ancient cathedral is relegated to the distance, and even the activities of the people in the foreground are of secondary interest to the enveloping coolness of the moonlight. In much the same way that many of Turner's later paintings present forms outlined by the strong sunlight at the centre of his image, he is here exploiting the subdued silhouettes created by a full moon” (https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-st-denis-d24686).

Note that Samuel Fisher (1806-1851) also executed an etching with engraving after Turner’s watercolour (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1849-0512-715), published in “Wanderings by the Seine” in 1835. Comparison of Fisher and Brunet-Debaines’ prints with Turner’s watercolour reveals very different readings of the scene. Arguably Fisher’s etching (with engraving) is sharper in focus giving the scene the clarity of an icy night under the full moon, whereas Brunet-Debaines’ mezzotint presents the same scene with a softness of mist and a hint of ethereal mystery—of course, these ways of reading the prints is a personal response only.

Mezzotint printed in a warm black ink on wove paper (with watermark) with full margins.

Size: (sheet) 20.5 x 32cm; (plate) 15.8 x 20.8cm; (image borderline) 13 x 18cm.

Condition: a strong impression with generously wide margins. Beyond a few spots of retouching, the sheet is otherwise in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, stains or signs of handling.

I am selling this richly glowing mezzotint showing a full moon illuminating the distant Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris after Turner’s watercolour of the same scene, for the total cost of AU$187 (currently US$121.52/ EUR116.04/ GBP96.62 at the time of 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$187) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this very beautiful mezzotint, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.