Late 19th Century Figurative Prints

"H. L'Illusion (L'Estampe Moderne I)" is an original color lithograph by Henri Bellery-Desfontaines. The artist signed the lithograph in the lower left. This piece depicts a nude child before a dream-like woman in a blue translucent robe. This piece was published in the French Art Nouveau publication L'Estampe Moderne. 15 3/4" x 12" art Henri Bellery-Desfontaines , born with Paris in 1867 and dead the October 6th 1909, is a French Noveau artist Jack-of-All- Trades, who produced tables, illustrations, posters, lithographies, drawings of carpet, pieces of furniture and banknotes, and even dabbled with decoration & architecture. In the 1900s, Paris was the perfect place for a group of young artists influenced by artistic currents like neogothic style or symbolism. Most of them started as painters and they switched later to decorative arts, attracted by the idea of an ever-present art, a lifeless art, a total art. Henri Bellery-Desfontaines was a member of this group and he started as as painter in Pierre-Victor Galland’s atelier. He entrusted him the decorative motifs which would frame Panthéon de Paris' drawings: Maillot, Bonnat, Humbert and specially Jean-Paul Laurens, who proposed him to join his atelier in l’École des Beaux-Arts de Paris. With him, he decorated l'Hôtel de Ville de Paris or Le Salon Lobau, Henri Bellery-Desfontaines is thought to have Luc-Olivier Merson (1846-1920) as a teacher. During his years as a student, he started to illustrate magazines and books of tales and in 1895, Bellery-Desfontaines opted rapidly for illustration, probably due to financial problems, and he participated in magazines such as L’Image, L’Estampe Moderne or L’Almanach des Bibliophiles. This year, the Salon des Artistes Français hosted one of his design of tapestry. From 1900 on, he gradually evolved toward an ambitious decorative artist, making tapestries and furniture for rich leaders and patrons. Bellery-Desfontaines was an important artist of his epoch, and he took part in numerous events like Bal de...

ELIOT, Maurice (1864-1945). Printemps. September 1897. British Artist. Color lithograph. Color Lithograph from L'Estampe Modern. 1897-1898. Each print shows the blindstamp imprint o...

Program for Le Belle Au Bois Revant, Mariage D'Argent, Ahasvere. 12 June 1893. 9.25 x 12.5" Last Program for Le Theatre Libre season, four-color lithograph, 1890-1893. Ref: Artists...

Rassenfosse, Armand.( 1862-1934) Sortie De Bal, 1894. Original drypoint in colors on Japan, initialled in red ink by artist with his monogram. Beautiful impression. In addition, the ...

[Poster for Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, May 1895]. Woman in a blue dress with Harper’s, wandering through a flock of sheep. Color Zincograph. New York: Harper & Brothers,1895. Signed in stone bottom right: EDWARD PENFIELD. Ref: Das Plakat...

Embossing (gaufrage) with typographical color printing. Fine impression with good embossing on simili-japon paper, printed to the edges of the sheet (as issued). The combination of techniqes is unusual and may be unique. Ref: Artistes et Theatre d'Avant-Garde Programmes illustres Paris 1890-1900 Aitken p 22 pl 11; Artists and the Avant-Garde Theatre in Paris 1887-1890 Boyer p.44 pl 9. Alexandre Charpentier was French sculptor, medalist, craftsman, and cabinet-maker. He experimented with a wide variety of formats and materials—tin, marble, wood, leather, and terra cotta work, the latter executed by ceramic artisan Emile Müller...

Etching and acquatint in black ink, 1875. B/g 100 For Une vielle mistress before the symphonic margins were removed and the plate cut. Printed on japon paper. State iii/v. 6 . Signed Felix Buhot...

Program for Theatre Libre Boubouroche Valet De Coeur. Sixth program for Le Theatre Libre, four-color lithograph, 1892-1893. Ref: The Color Revolution 101: Artistes et Theatre d' Ava...

RASSENFOSSE, ARMAND (1862 – 1934) "Grande Brasserie Van Velsen" Original lithograph from “Les Maitres de L’Affiche” series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stamp lowe...

VALLOTTON, F. (1865 - 1925) "Ah! la Pe . . . la Pe . . . la Pepiniere" Original lithograph from “Les Maitres de L’Affiche” series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stam...

CHARPENTIER, ALEX (1856 -1909) "Grande Tuilerie d’Ivry" Original lithograph from "Les Maitres de L'Affiche" series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stamp lower right, issue # 33, 1898. Plate #131 Unframed Size: 11 3/8 x 15 3/4”The "Les Maitres de l'Affiche" series was offered as a subscription series to collectors every month for 60 months, from December 1895 through November 1900. The "Maitres de l'Affiche," were issued as separate numbered sheets, referred to as "plates". They were numbered, with the printers name "Imprimerie Chaix," in the margin at the bottom left hand corner, "PL.1" to "PL.240." In the margin at the bottom right hand corner of each, is a blind embossed stamp from a design of Cheret's. The smaller format and the fact the "Maitres" were a paid subscription series, allowed Imprimerie Chaix to use the latest state of the art printing techniques, not normally used in the large format posters due to cost. A very high quality of paper was used, where as the large format posters were printed on lesser quality newsprint, due to cost and a short expected life span. This explains why the quality of the printing, in the "Maitres de l'Affiche," usually far exceeds that of their larger counterparts. The text reads "Great Tileworks of Ivry, founded in 1854, Ivry-Port near Paris; the largest ceramics factory in the world for building, industry and art productions; Emille Muller stoneware; execution of works by masters of statuary; architectural facings; decorative sculpture; showroom and salesroom, 3 rue Halevy; the only tile able to bear the names Muller and Ivry; (tiles) guaranteed against frost" Given the commission for an extremely text heavy poster, the artist executes a masterful design. The angelic young boy holds the wares of this famous ceramics factory, against an abstract background awash in organic green hues. The handling of the immense text that flows from top to bottom in every available space shows great artistic skill, as the overall beauty of the design is intact. In 1989 the Metropolitan Museum of art acquired a stoneware plaque...

CHERET, JULES (1836 - 1932) "Emilienne d’Alencon" Original lithograph from “Les Maitres de L’Affiche” series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stamp lower right, from issue #29, 1898. Plate #113 Unframed Size: 11 3/8 x 15 3/4” The “Les Maitres de l’Affiche” series was offered as a subscription series to...

Charles Pachter is one of the most collected and cherished Canadian artists. His iconic, uplifting and patriotic images have independently earned their place in the nation's museum...

1896 Print Sz: 14 1/2"H x 9"W Mat Sz: 20"H x 12 7/8"W Samuel Loates (1865–1932) was a British Thoroughbred horse racing jockey who was the Champion Jockey of 1899 in his home coun...

1890 Sz: 20"H x 12 7/8"W James Woodburn 1863-1919 Born at York on September 20, 1863, James began life as a doctor’s errand boy but, wanting to become a jockey, he ran away from home. Covering the 13 miles on foot, he arrived at the Hambleton stables of Mr Sanderson, who took an instant liking to the runaway. Woodburn rode his first winner for the stable...

Artist: Toulouse Lautrec (1864 -1901) French Title: The Chestnut Vendor Medium: Lithograph, Year: 1897 Signature: Signed in Plate (TL) Lower Left Dimensions: 20” x 17” Framed, 11” x 8.5” Unframed A lithograph of a Toulouse Lautrec drawing...

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Taira no Koremochi Vanquishing the Demon of Mount Togakushi From Series: “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts” 「新形三十六怪撰」 「平惟茂戸隠山に悪鬼を退治す図」 C. 1890 Size: Oban Ex...

"Count Strickland" by Hay is a chromolithograph print from Vanity Fair, published on May 4, 1893, depicting Count Della Catena, a Maltese jockey who also rode in the Grand National a...

MAX LIEBERMANN 1847-1935 Berlin 1847-1935 (German) Title: The Goatherd Ziegenhirtin, 1891 Technique: Original Hand Signed Etching on Japan Paper Paper size: 18 x 23.8 cm. / 7.1 ...

The Chap-Book. Color lithograph/Price Cents /1895. Published by Stone & Kimball Chicago Designed by Claude F. Bragdon. On Linen .Minor wear at edges and at top of poster. Minor paper...

Hazenplug, Frank. Chap Book. Color Lithograph, 1895. 20 1/2 x 14" Frank Hazenplug, was an artist who made engravings, typography, and posters. He also illustrated books Hazenplug worked for Chicago firm Stone & Kimball and designed books for them, continuing with the company even after it became Herbert S. Stone. Hazenplug also designed books for other publishers, such as Fleming Revell, George Doran, A.C. McClurg, Reilly and Britton, Rand McNally, and John Lane...

"Kacia" from "L'Estampe Moderne II" is an original color lithograph by Eugene Delatre. L'Esampe Moderne was a publication that published artwork from to...

Hermann-Paul, René Georges (1864-1940) L'Ouvre. La Brebis; La Tandem. [proof before lettering] May 29 1896. Two-act play. Black and White Lithograph. Ref: Artistes et Theatre d'Ava...

Color Lithograph from L'Estampe Modern. 1897-1898. Each print shows the blindstamp imprint of the publication. Many of the most acclaimed French Art Nouveau artists contributed to ...

Program for A Bas Le Progres. By Edmond de Concourt 1894. Four-color lithograph. 12 3/4 x 9 7/8" 25 April 1894. Signed in the stone. Rare. Ibels’ images were powerful and heavily ...

Color lithograph, 1896. On Linen. Signed on the plate. Ref: Dad Plakat 501; American Poster Renaissance, Margolin p. 74 American Painter and Illustrator. Charles Herbert Wo...

PRICE, JULIUS "An Artist’s Model" Original lithograph from “Les Maitres de L’Affiche” series Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris Bearing MDL stamp lower right, from issue #1, 1896. Plate # 3 Unframed Size: 11 3/8 x 15 3/4” The “Les Maitres de l’Affiche” series was offered as a subscription series to collectors every month for 60 months, from December 1895 through November 1900. The “Maitres de l’Affiche,” were issued as separate numbered sheets, referred to as “plates”. They were numbered, with the printers name “Imprimerie Chaix,” in the margin at the bottom left hand corner, “PL.1” to “PL.240.” In the margin at the bottom right hand corner of each, is a blind embossed stamp from a design of Cheret’s. The smaller format and the fact the “Maitres” were a paid subscription series, allowed Imprimerie Chaix to use the latest state of the art printing techniques, not normally used in the large format posters...

Toyohara Kunichika "Sumo Wrestling Tournament" Woodcut Print on Paper 13.5 x 28.5" Framed size 35 x 20" The print pictures an exciting scene featuring t...

Elizabeth Catlett “Man” 1975 (The Print Club of Cleveland Publication Number 83, 2005) Woodcut and Color Linocut Printed in 2003 at JK Fine Art Editions Co., Union City, New Jersey Signed and Dated By The Artist Lower Right Titled Lower Left Ed. of 250 Image Size: approx 18 x 12 inches Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) is regarded as one of the most important women artists and African American artists of our time. She believed art could affect social change and that she should be an agent for that change: “I have always wanted my art to service black people—to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential.” As an artist and an activist, Catlett highlighted the dignity and courage of motherhood, poverty, and the working class, returning again and again to the subject she understood best—African American women. The work below, entitled, “Man”, is "carved from a block of wood, chiseled like a relief. Catlett, a sculptor as well as a printmaker, carves figures out of wood, and so is extremely familiar with this material. For ‘Man’ she exploits the grain of the wood, allowing to to describe the texture of the skin and form vertical striations, almost scarring the image. Below this intense, three-dimensional visage parades seven boys, printed repetitively from a single linoleum block in a “rainbow roll” that changes from gold to brown. This row of brightly colored figures with bare feet, flat like a string of paper dolls, raise their arms toward the powerful depiction of the troubled man above.” Biography: Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) Known for abstract sculpture in bronze and marble as well as prints and paintings, particularly depicting the female figure, Elizabeth Catlett is unique for distilling African American, Native American, and Mexican art in her work. She is "considered by many to be the greatest American black sculptor". . .(Rubinstein 320) Catlett was born in Washington D.C. and later became a Mexican citizen, residing in Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico. She spent the last 35 years of her life in Mexico. Her father, a math teacher at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, died before she was born, but the family, including her working mother, lived in the relatively commodious home of his family in DC. Catlett received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, where there was much discussion about whether or not black artists should depict their own heritage or embrace European modernism. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1940 from the University of Iowa, where she had gone to study with Grant Wood, Regionalist* painter. His teaching dictum was "paint what you know best," and this advice set her on the path of dealing with her own background. She credits Wood with excellent teaching and deep concern for his students, but she had a problem during that time of taking classes from him because black students were not allowed housing in the University's dormitories. Following graduation in 1940, she became Chair of the Art Department at Dillard University in New Orleans. There she successfully lobbied for life classes with nude models, and gained museum admission to black students at a local museum that to that point, had banned their entrance. That same year, her painting Mother and Child, depicting African-American figures won her much recognition. From 1944 to 1946, she taught at the George Washington Carver School, an alternative community school in Harlem that provided instruction for working men and women of the city. From her experiences with these people, she did a series of paintings, prints, and sculptures with the theme "I Am a Negro Woman." In 1946, she received a Rosenwald Fellowship*, and she and her artist husband, Charles White, traveled to Mexico where she became interested in the Mexican working classes. In 1947, she settled permanently in Mexico where she, divorced from White, married artist Francisco Mora...

Tristesse ou Jalousie. 1896. Color lithograph. One of 50 on laid Japan paper from the deluxe edition of "Le Centaure;, blind stamp lower left. Signed in ink and annotated W; in blue ...