Charles Jacque, “L’été”, 1864

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“L’été” (Summer), 1864

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with dot-roulette on fine buff-coloured laid paper with wide margins. This is a rare first state impression before lettering for publication. It is the ninth plate in a series of twenty-four prints executed in 1864 and distributed between 1864–1865 (Collection Publiée en 1864, Guiffrey 177–201).

In the later published state of this etching, the inscribed details show Sarazin (also known as Sarasin, active circa 1846–1880) as the printer.

Note: The British Museum holds an impression of the later, lettered state under: Museum Number 1865,0429.156 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1865-0429-156).

The impression is richly inked and well-printed—a near-faultless artist’s proof. Aside from a small replenished hole below the image at right (visible only when held to a light source), the sheet remains in excellent, museum-quality condition. It is entirely free of tears, folds, stains, or handling marks.

J.-J. Guiffrey (1866) describes this specific composition (translated from the French): “A country girl, dressed in a gown that leaves her shoulder and leg bare, sits on a mound under a tree near a rough fence. She is feeding a small bird. On the other side of the fence, a shepherd in a wide-brimmed hat and coat leans on his elbow, talking to the girl. His flock spreads out on a rise divided in two by a wooden fence, at the top of which the silhouette of a dog stands out against the sky” (p. 92).

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 39.4 x 28 cm
• Platemark: 21 x 13.2 cm
• Image borderline: 13 x 9.8 cm

References:

• Guiffrey 185 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches,” 1866, Paris, Lemaire, p. 92, cat. no. 185 [Premier état])
• Beraldi 9 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 188, cat. no. 9 [referencing Guiffrey 185])
• IFF 288 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 115, cat. no. 288)— https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f127.item

Price & Shipping:

AU$274 (approximately US$191.38 / €167.21 / £142.26), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this sublimely beautiful and extraordinarily rare etching in its initial proof state before lettering and later drypoint/engraving rework, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold