Description:An extremely rare glimpse into the sensitive portraiture Toulouse-Lautrec masterfully composes, this piece is comprised of delicate lines in shifting tonal variations. Designed on an intimate scale, the delicacy of this work gives a sense of quietude and serenity with an air of mystery.
Created in 1898, this extremely rare original drypoint etching is from the First edition of 1911 with only 15 known impressions. Printed and published by Manzi, Joyant & Cie. on Japan paper, this work contains the Toulouse-Lautrec red monogram stamp (Lugt 1338) in the lower right side of the work along with the artist’s initials in the plate in the lower left. Since nine portfolios of the 15 works from this edition are to be found in public museum collections (including the collection of the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin and the National Gallery of Art Washington D.C.) that leaves 6 or less of these prints left in publics hands!
Thought to possibly be a portrait of Arthur Meyer, editor of the newspaper ‘Le Gaulois’, this work is a peaceful and intimate portrait on a scale that entices the viewer to inspect the work up close. With delicate lines and a lightness that gives this work an ethereal appearance, the shifting lights and darks in the figure reflect the artist’s understanding of light, shadow and texture. Created primarily from contour and indications of interior lines, the artist’s skill in depicting a volumetric form without relying on shading is personified in this work. Seated in profile, the man depicted in this work had a prominent rounded nose with a bushy moustache curled on the ends. His neck is obscured by a large collar, possibly denoting his social status. Thin wisps of hair give us a clue as to the sitter’s age, but the remaining information about the subject matter is left up to the viewer’s imagination.
PROVENANCE:
Private Collection, England
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that I will enclose with the sale of the work) :
1) Adriani, Götz, Toulouse-Lautrec The Complete Graphic Works, A Catalogue Raisonné, 1988, listed as cat no 248 on pg 304.
2) Wittrock, Wolfgang, Toulouse-Lautrec The Complete Prints, Vol 2, 1985, listed as cat no 246 on pgs 566-567.
3) Adhémar, Jean, Toulouse-Lautrec His Complete Lithographs and Drypoints, listed as cat no 276 with details in the List of Plates.
4) Lugt, Frits, Les Marques de Collections de Dessins & d’Estampes, 1975, Lautrec monogram stamp listed as no 1338 on pg 240.
About the Framing:
Conservation framed with archival materials and museum quality, this work is set in an ornate gold leaf frame with vegetal sculptural details. The brilliancy of the tone in the framing compliments the contrasting black on white of the print. The sculptural details enhance and accentuate the loose linear quality of this work. Completed with white linen wrapped mattes and a matching gold inner fillet, this work is set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.
