"Falcon Chase in Algeria" a genuine antique photogravure after the painting by Eugene Fromentin (1863), Gallery of Luxemburg, engraved and etched by Goupil, 1881; printed on heavy stock woven paper; signed in plate " Eugene Fromentin, Pinx." and "Gravure Goupil et Cie.".

Heavy stock woven paper, design 6.7/8" x 9.7/8" [175mm x 250mm], the entire plate 9.3/4" x c.14" [245mm x 355mm]; a little foxing and a few stains, very good condition. An additional sheet with the explanatory text by Goupil is present. See photos.

Eugene Fromentin (1820-1876) was a French painter and writer. Fromentin was one of the earliest pictorial interpreters of Algeria, having been able, while quite young, to visit the land and people that suggested the subjects of most of his works, and to store his memory as well as his portfolio with the picturesque and characteristic details of North African life. In 1849, he was awarded a medal of the second class. In 1852, he paid a second visit to Algeria, accompanying an archaeological mission, and then completed that minute study of the scenery of the country and of the habits of its people which enabled him to give to his after-work the realistic accuracy that comes from intimate knowledge.

In 1870s-1890s, Goupil & Cie were the leading art dealers in 19th century France, with headquarters in Paris and a network of branches in London, Brussels, The Hague, Berlin and Vienna, as well as in New York and Australia. Instrumental for this expansion was the "Ateliers Photographiques", a plant north of Paris, in Asnieres, which took up its work in 1869. The photogravures created in this plant dominated the world art market of 1880s-1890s.

The creation of the photogravure plate was a complicated process requiring a work by a photographer and experienced master-engraver. First, a copper plate was coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue which had been exposed to a film positive, and then etched, resulting in a high quality intaglio print that can reproduce the detail and continuous tones of a photograph. It is a manual process. Therefore, the quality of the photogravure depends on the masterly execution by the engraver.

Due to relative softness of copper, the editions of photogravures were limited to a few thousand copies similarly to copper engravings and etchings.

Artwork will be mailed unframed.

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority or 1st Class shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c 2-4 days) --------- $20.50
Canada: 1st Class (c 2-6 weeks) -- $26.50
World: 1st Class (c 2-7 weeks) --- $34.50