Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Friday, 24 October 2025

Jules Léopold Boilly, “Le Repentir”, 1857, after Pierre Paul Prud'hon

Jules Léopold Boilly (aka Jules Boilly; Julien Boilly) (1796–1874)

“Le Repentir” (aka “Repentance”; “Berouw” [Rijksmuseum title]), 1857, after a drawing by Pierre Paul Prud'hon (aka Pierre Paul Prudhon) (1758–1823), printed in Paris by Bertauts (fl.1830s–1880) and published in “L’Artiste”.

Lithograph printed with blue plate tone on heavy wove paper with a flattened centre fold and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 44.5 x 28.2 cm; (image borderline) 32.3 x 16.5 cm.

Lettered in plate above the image borderline: (centre) “L’ARTISTE”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “DESSIN DE PRUD’HON”; (centre) “IMP. BERTAUTS, PARIS./ LE REPENTIR.”; (right) “LIT PAR JUL BOILLY.”

IFF 48 (Jean Laren & Jean Adhémar 1942, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: BOCQVIN–BYON”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 3, p. 52, cat. no. 48 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488545z/f61])

See also the description of this print printed in brown ink from an edition printed by Joseph Rose Lemercier and published by Sieurin: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200306991.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with wide margins, backed with an archival support sheet reinforcing the flattened centrefold of publication. The sheet is in excellent condition, free from tears, holes, or significant stains.

Price & Shipping: AU$231 (approx. US$150.51 / €129.39 / £113.05), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

This exceptional lithograph captures the poignancy and delicate beauty of Prud'hon's original composition, brilliantly rendered through Boilly’s masterful use of line and tone. Although somewhat theatrical, the expressive posture and subtle details evoke a profound sense of remorse and introspection.

If you wish to purchase this remarkable neo-classical study, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a PayPal invoice for a smooth, secure transaction.

This print has been sold