Adolphe Appian’s etching, “Chemin des Roches (Environs de Creys)”, 1863

Adolphe Appian (aka Jacques Barhelemy `Adolphe` Appian), (1818–1898)

“Chemin des Roches (Environs de Creys)” (aka “Rocky path, near Creys”), 1863, plate 43 the first volume of prints produced by the Société des Aquafortistes (Society of Etchers), printed by Auguste Delâtre (aka Auguste Marie Delâtre) (1822–1907) and published in Paris by Cadart & Chevalier (Alfred Cadart & Félix Chevalier) (fl. 1861–1863) in 1863.

Etching on fine laid paper (partial watermark) with the blindstamp of the publisher in the lower margin.

Size: (sheet) 27.6 x 28.8 cm; (plate) 13.7 x 21 cm; (image borderline) 11.7 x 19 cm.

Numbered in plate above the image borderline: (right) “43.”

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (right) “Appian sculp^t.”; (centre) “CHEMIN DES ROCHES (Environs de Creys)./ Paris, Publié par A. CADART & F. CHEVALIER, Éditeurs, Rue Richelieu, 66.”; (right) “Imp. Delâtre, Rue St Jacques, 303, Paris.”

Blindstamped with the oval seal of the publisher: (lower margin at centre) “A CADART & CHEVALIER/ ÉDITEURS/ 66 R. RICHELIEU”

State iii (of v) state before modification of the publisher to Cadart et Luquet.

Curtis & Prouté 4 iii (Atherton Cutiis & Paul Prouté 1968, “Adolphe Appian son Oeuvre Gravé et Lithographié”, Paris, Paul Prouté, [n.p.] cat. no. 4 iii); Jennings 5 (Herbert H Jennings 1925, Adolphe Appian (essay) in “Print Collector’s Quarterly,” vol. 12, no. 1, p. 114, cat. no. 5 [see https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/print_collectors_quarterly1925/0134/scroll]).

In Hamerton’s 1876 edition of “Etching and Etchers”, Hamerton offers the following interesting insights about Appian’s prints: “…his [Appian’s] work is that each plate, however large or however small it may be, is conceived from the first as a whole, and the first conception is never departed from for the disproportionate realisation of some obtrusive detail.” Going further, “…Appian sees always in masses, and gives quite as much detail as is consistent with the preservation of the mass” (pp. 202–03).

Condition: a richly inked, strong and well-printed impression with generous margins. The sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, losses, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this quietly poetic etching showing a blanket of silvery morning light cast over two figures near a well-loaded ox-drawn cart, for the total cost of AU$315 (currently US$210.55/EUR190.50/GBP167.70 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this very beautiful etching executed by an artist with a strong personal vision (as exemplified by this print) and close connection with the Barbizon School, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.