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

Monday, 20 April 2026

Théophile Chauvel, “Tronc d'Arbre” (2nd copy), 1877, after Narcisse Diaz de la Peña

Théophile Chauvel (also known as Théophile-Narcisse Chauvel) (1831–1909)

“Tronc d'Arbre” (Tree Trunk), 1877—this is the second copy of this etching that I have listed (the previous copy has been sold)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on laid paper with with wide margins as issued. This work is based on a painting by Narcisse Diaz de la Peña (also known as Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Peña) (1807–1876). It was printed in Paris by François Liénard (fl. c. 1860s–1880s) and published in the French art periodical L'Art. The impression is from the final published state (state vi).

This is a richly inked, well-printed (near faultless) impression with generous margins. Aside from a thin spot in the margin at the lower right—an imperfection in the paper—the sheet is in near pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 42.3 x 29.5 cm
• Platemark: 28.7 x 22 cm
• Image borderline: 25.9 x 18.8 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “N. Dias, pinx. / L'Art.”
• Centre: “TRONC D'ARBRE.”
• Right: “Th. Chauvel sc. / F^çois Liénard,Imp,Paris.”

References

• IFF 54 (Jean Adhémar, Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: CABANE–CICÉRI, vol. 4, 1949, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, p. 423, cat. no. 54). See: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5510949t/f445.item
• Delteil 54 (p. 50)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1878-0511-283

Price & Shipping:

AU$238 (approximately US$170.40 / €144.70 / £126.02), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this superb and densely worked etching—particularly notable for the subtle variations of tone used to capture the pocket of filtered light falling softly on the central tree, which seems to glow in the forest darkness—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a smooth and safe transaction.