1. Félix Bracquemond
(1833-1914)

Titre pour 8 Sujets Tirés des Fables de La Fontaine (Title Page for 8 Subjects Taken from the Fables of La Fontaine)

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Fables de La Fontaine

Titre pour 8 Sujets Tirés des Fables de La Fontaine (Title Page for 8 Subjects Taken from the Fables of La Fontaine)

Etching with false biting, 1852, 182 x 120 mm., Béraldi 99, B. N. Inv. 17, Bouillon Af 1 i/ii. Provenance: New York Public Library duplicate (without the stamp). Very fine impression of this rare, early print on green wove paper with narrow margins, signed in pencil within the image with an initial B. Bouillon mentions proofs on Holland, chine-appliqué, green paper, brown paper, etc. His states are derived from Burty, whose first state is with uncleaned plate margins and second, identical, but the plate margins cleaned. There are a number of marginal scratches here not visible in Bouillon's reproduction of the second state. Although the eight small etchings meant to follow this title show Bracquemond occupied with La Fontaine's Fables, a subject that would intrigue him again later, the title page offers a Jacque-like landscape on what is surely meant to represent a weather-worn signboard, the (intentional) foul biting adding to the effect.

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