Claude Lorrain, “Le Bouvier”, 1636

Claude Lorrain (also known as Claude Gellée, Claude Le Lorrain, Claudio di Lorena) (1600–1682)

“Le Bouvier” (The Cowherd), 1636 — Printed from the original plate by McCreery in his 1816 edition of “200 Etchings”

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine cream wove paper, trimmed along and slightly within the plate mark, with loss of the inscription below the image at right (“Claudius in. et f. Romae 1636 138 ne ficcen”). The sheet has been professionally conserved with a washi paper support sheet.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed. The sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Artistic & Technical Insights:

Lino Mannocci (1988) discusses this etching and raises several interesting points: 

“Arthur Hind (1923, p. 163, note I) erroneously linked Seymour Haden's remarks about La Danse Villageoise with this plate and suggested that ‘Claude may in places have roughened the plate with a pumice stone and scraped out the lines of light’. H. D. Russell (1982, p. 357, note 6) corrects this error and suggests that ‘some form of roulette instrument would more likely have been used’” (p. 141).

Mannocci further proposes: 

“The suggestion that ‘Claude is likely to have proceeded in the manner of modern etchers: by laying a transparent ground on the plate with a roller’ is probably correct. ‘Only the very finest lines would have been closed by this procedure, the others remaining open to the acid’” (op. cit).

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 12.7 x 19.8 cm

References:

• Blum 18; Mannocci 18; Robert-Dumesnil 8; IFF 18; Russell 27
• Rijksmuseum: Object No. RP-P-OB-5681 (https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200130489)
• British Museum: Museum No. 1868,0822.901 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0822-901)

Price & Shipping:

AU$384 (approx. US$266.46 / €232.92 / £198.53), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this rare etching—a superbly rich impression taken from the original plate by McCreery in 1816—this work exemplifies Claude Lorrain’s innovative approach to capturing the fleeting, ephemeral qualities of nature. To arrange purchase, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless and protected transaction.