Jean-François Renard, “N. D. de Fourvières”, c. 1846–50, after C. Charon

Jean-François Renard (active early-to-mid 1800s)

“N. D. de Fourvières” (Our Lady of Fourvière), circa 1846–1850

Dating Note:

The precise dating of this print to circa 1846–1850 is derived from the publishing history of Antoine-Joseph Langlumé. Following the dissolution of his partnership (Langlumé et Peltier) on January 29, 1846, he operated independently under his initial “J.” at the 11 Rue du Foin Saint-Jacques address.

Description & Iconography

This exceptional devotional print depicts the traditional, richly robed presentation of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child as venerated at the historic Fourvière sanctuary in Lyon, France. The crown-wearing sculpture, known as “Our Lady of Fourvière”, is the centrepiece of the high altar in the Virgin’s Chapel.

The composition portrays the monumental statue framed within a sacred niche, shown crowned under a heavenly canopy guarded by God the Father and adoring angels. This composition replicates the traditional textile coverings (habillage) and ex-voto jewellery typical of famous French pilgrimage statues. The Notre-Dame de Fourvière website offers a full historical account of the Virgin’s Chapel: https://www.fourviere.org/en/discover/notre-dame-de-fourviere/marys-chapel/.

Technical Details & Condition:

Stipple engraving with etching on heavy wove paper with full margins as issued.

The composition is after an original painting by C. Charon—highly likely to be an associate or from the close circle of the French historical, portrait, and religious painter Théophile Charon-Lémérillon (1807–1873). This print is Plate 21 from a devotional series published in Paris by Antoine-Joseph Langlumé (1801–1870) at his independent workshop.

A strong, crisp, and evenly inked impression. The sheet is in excellent condition for its large size, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 46.3 x 34.6 cm
• Platemark (faint): 40? x 29.7? cm
• Image borderline: 30 x 22.9 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “C. Charon pinx.”
• Centre: “N. D. DE FOURVIÈRES. / Paris, J. Langlumé éditeur, Rue du Foin St. Jacques 11. / Déposé.”
• Right “Renard sculp.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$228 (approximately US$160.10 / €140.12 / £119.05), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare engraving—which does not appear in standard institutional museum or online repositories—exemplifying the artist’s dense stippling technique, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

John Park, “The Romantic House”, 1878, after John Constable (2nd copy)

John Park (1851–1919)

“The Romantic House”, 1878

Insights about the Subject:

The Tate Gallery (London) provides the following background on the house—known as Old Grove House, located at 26 Hampstead Grove in the historic heart of Hampstead, North London—featured centrally in this scene: 

“At some time known as The Grove, Admiral's House takes its present name from Admiral Matthew Barton (?1715–1795), who retired there towards the end of the eighteenth century. Barton rigged out the roof of the building in nautical style: ‘from this elevated position,’ wrote T.J. Barratt in 1912, ‘the old sailor was accustomed, at times when naval victories were being celebrated, to fire salutes from a couple of cannon he had mounted there, on what he called his quarter-deck.’ … The pond, which no longer exists, was known as Clock House Pond or Crockett's Pond.” See: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/constable-the-grove-hampstead-n01246

The British Museum describes the scene: 

“House at Hampstead; figures and cattle around a watering hole in the foreground with small bridge at right, the house with tower, known as 'The Grove' (or 'Admiral's House'), seen through trees behind…”Museum Number 1879,0510.130 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1879-0510-130

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on buff-coloured laid paper. The design is based on John Constable’s (1776–1837) painting, “The Grove, Hampstead” (circa 1821–32), held in the collection of the Tate Gallery. See: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/constable-the-grove-hampstead-n01246.This etching was printed in Paris by François Liénard (active circa 1860s–1880s) and published facing page 178 in the French periodical, “L’Art,” in 1878.

This is a richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed (faultless) impression. The sheet is in near pristine condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36 x 29.4 cm
• Platemark: 25.8 x 21.4 cm
• Image borderline: 24.9 x 20.9 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “John Constable R.A. pinx. / L’Art.”
• Centre: “THE ROMANTIC HOUSE.”
• Right “J. Park, sc. / F^çois Liénard, Imp. Paris.

Price & Shipping:

AU$222 (approximately US$155.19 / €135.67 / £115.27), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this creatively inventive transcription of Constable’s painting—where swirling lines add drama to the clouds and tiny flecks of white suggest sparkling light—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

Jan Luyken, “The Second Plague of Egypt: Frogs Over the Land”, 1708

Jan Luyken (also known as Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)
“The Second Plague of Egypt: Frogs Over the Land” (Tweede Plaag van Egipte. De Vorschen komen op over Egÿptenland), 1708

The Rijksmuseum describes this print (in translation): “View of a city on a river teeming with frogs. The frogs emerge from the water onto the land. On the bank, people try to shake the frogs off or flee. The print is a depiction of the second plague that God brought upon Egypt” (Rijksmuseum Object Record).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on laid paper (“Strasburg Bend & Lily” watermark) with full margins as published in 1729 in Amsterdam by Johannes Covens I and Cornelis Mortier (active 1721–1778). It is plate 12 (of 62) in “Icones Biblicae Veteris et N. Testamenti” (Figures of the Old and New Testament).

This is State ii (of ii), showing the change of publisher from Pieter Mortier I to his son, Cornelis Mortier, and Cornelis’ brother-in-law, Johannes Covens. The privilege note has also been erased in this state.

The impression is richly inked, strong, and near faultless—an excellent early impression, evidenced by the crisp lines with no signs of wear to the printing plate. The original publication centre-fold has been professionally flattened. The sheet is in pristine condition, free of tears, holes, stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 33.9 x 55 cm
• Plate mark: 33.7 x 43.6 cm
• Image borderline: 31.7 x 42.3 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “Edit. à J. Covens et C. Mortier.”
• Left of centre: “Tweede Plaag van Egipte. De Vorschen komen op over Egÿptenland. Exod: VIII”
• Right of centre: “Seconde Playe d’Egypt. Les Grenoüilles répendues dans tout le Pays. Exode VIII.”
• Right: Johannes Luyken Inv: et fecit. / 12.”

References:

•  Van Eeghen 3701 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen, Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken, 1905, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 660, cat. no. 3701) —https://archive.org/details/hetwerkvanjanen01kellgoog/page/n279/mode/2up
• British Museum: Museum Number 1892,0411.63.13—https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1892-0411-63-13   
• Rijksmuseum: Object Number RP-P-OB-67.873—https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200396168

Price & Shipping:

AU$288 (approximately US$201.16 / €175.75/ £149.53), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in acquiring this extraordinarily detailed etching—featuring Moses in the lower-left foreground guiding his brother, Aaron, who follows God’s word by raising his rod over the waters to summon a plague of frogs upon the inhabitants of Egypt—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold