Albert Bertrand, “Jupiter and Antiope”, c. 1900, after Antoine Watteau

Albert Bertrand (also known as Albert Emmanuel Bertrand) (1852–1912)— renowned for his sophisticated colour aquatint and etching interpretations of Rococo masterpieces, most notably his 1899 version of Watteau’s The Embarkation for Cythera (British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1899-0420-117)

“Jupiter and Antiope”, c. 1900

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on buff wove paper with generously wide margins. This is a rare artist’s proof (Épreuve d'artiste) before the addition of formal lettered titles or publication details. It bears a faint but legible pencil-signed dedication in the lower margin to Charles Betout (1869–1945)—an artist and the chief costume designer for the Comédie-Française for over 40 years. This dedication suggests that this artist’s proof is a presentation piece of high quality and an early impression. 

The etching is Bertrand’s interpretation of the oil painting “Jupiter and Antiope” (c. 1715) by Antoine Watteau (also known as Jean-Antoine Watteau) (1684–1721), housed in the collection of the Musée du Louvre (Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_and_Antiope_(Watteau)).

The impression is strong and well-printed—aside from a tiny void (fleck) from the printer in the middle right, which I value as a mark of an authentic, hand-pulled early impression rather than an editioned copy. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains. 

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 40 x 48.1 cm
• Platemark: 32 x 37.7 cm
• Oval image borderline: 19.5 x 27 cm

Inscription (pencil dedication):

• Lower right below image (faint and indistinct): “À Bétout / A. Bertrand”
• Further pencil annotations possibly include a "1er" (1er état) mark signifying that the impression is a first state. The stylised paraph (monogram) below the signature may serve as the artist’s mark of approval for this specific proof.

References:

This is an exceptionally rare print that I have been unable to locate in any of the online repositories.
• IFF not described (Jean Laren “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800”, vol. 2, 1937, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, pp. 313–314)—https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488531x/f322.item

Price & Shipping:

AU$286 (approximately US$199.31 / €172.60 / £149.52), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare proof-state etching—Bertrand’s interpretation of Watteau’s “Jupiter and Antiope”, capturing the mythological moment where Jupiter, disguised as a satyr, surprises the sleeping nymph Antiope—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will be happy to send a PayPal invoice for a smooth and secure purchase.