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

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Isidor Stanislas Helman, “Le Joueur de Cornemuse”, c. 1803, after David Taniers II

Isidor Stanislas Helman (also known as Isidore Stanislas Henri Helman or Isidor Stanislaus Helmann) (1743–1806)

“Le Joueur de Cornemuse” (The Bagpiper), circa 1803

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving with hand-colouring on fine wove paper with wide margins. This print is from the series “Musée Français,” which documents paintings and statues in the Louvre, published in Paris between 1803 and 1809. It is after an intermediary drawing by Jean Claude Gallier (fl. c. 1800–1820), based on the painting “Joueur de Musette” (1635/37) by David Teniers the Younger (1610–1690), which is in the collection of the Musée du Louvre, Paris (see: https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010059232).

The impression is strong and well-printed, with vivid, unfaded hand-colouring. The large sheet is in pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 51 x 38 cm
• Platemark: 47.6 x 34.6 cm
• Image borderline: 28.1 x 22.4 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Lower left: “Peint par Teniers.”
• Lower centre: “Dessiné par Gallier, / LE JOUEUR DE CORNEMUSE”
• Upper right: “Gravé par Helman,”

References:

• Nagler 4 (GK Nagler, Neues allgemeines Künstler-Lexikon, vol. 5, Munich, Fleischmann, 1837, p. 75, cat. no. 4).
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1856-0712-440
• Smithsonian American Art Museum: https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/le-joueur-de-cornemuse-10250#
• Library of Congress: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/musdcmicon.0037

Price & Shipping:

AU$243 (approximately US$167.99 / €145.50 / £126.96), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this evocative depiction of a tavern scene, where figures in the background seem oblivious to the deafening music—highlighted by the artist’s keen attention to facial expressions, exemplifying the Baroque period in which the original painting was created—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will be happy to provide a PayPal invoice to facilitate a smooth and secure purchase.