Alexandre Charpentier Prints and Multiples

La Fille au Violon Color lithograph, gypsograph with embossed publisher's stamp Signed and numbered in ink (see photo) From: L'Estampe Originale, Paris, Vol. VII Published by Andre M...

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...

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...