Auguste-André Lançon (signed in the plate “André Lançon”—the name he used
prior to 1872) (1836–1885)
“Couching Dromedary” (Dromadaire couché), 1866
Historical Context & The Van Gogh Connection:
This rare early print belongs to the Realist tradition of the
19th-century French Etching Revival. Auguste Lançon’s animal studies were
highly influential and deeply respected by his contemporaries—most notably by Vincent
van Gogh.
Van Gogh was a passionate collector of Lançon’s prints. In his personal
letters to his brother Theo, Vincent frequently lauded Lançon’s genius for
capturing the raw, unidealised character of animals, noting that Lançon’s
draftsmanship possessed a rare honesty drawn straight from life.
Technical Details & Condition:
Etching with plate tone on wove paper, with full margins as issued. This
superb study depicts a camel with tents and the Great Sphinx in the background,
from the rare early series “Animal Studies Drawn from Life” (Études d'animaux
dessinées d'après nature).
The etching was printed by Auguste Delâtre (1822–1907) and
published in Paris by R. Schultz (active 1866–1872).
The impression is strong and evenly inked, with crisp detail and no
signs of wear to the printing plate. Aside from foxing marks confined to the
upper right margin, the sheet remains in very good condition, with no tears,
holes, folds, or abrasions.
Dimensions:
• Sheet: 24.9 x 34.9 cm
• Platemark: 10.7 x 17.7 cm
• Image borderline: 10 x 17 cm
In-Plate lettering:
• Lower left: “1866 André Lançon”
References:
• Bibliothèque Nationale de France: Jacques Lethève & Françoise
Gardey 1963, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: KA–LAURENCE”, Paris, Département
des Estampes, vol. 12, pp. 380–85, unrecorded/not described — https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488490f/f392.item
• British Museum: Museum number 1872,1012.1465 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1872-1012-1465
• PROANTIC Marketplace: Reference number 828867— https://www.proantic.com/en/828867-etching-by-lancon-dromedary.html
Price & Shipping:
AU$212 (approximately US$150.98 / €131.39 / £112.73, subject
to daily exchange rates). Price includes worldwide express shipping. Please
note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole
responsibility of the buyer.
If you’re interested in acquiring this curiously wonderful study of a
camel settled squarely on its pads, please contact me at
oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for
a seamless transaction.
