Baron Dominique Vivant Denon, “Four Head Studies”, 1799

Baron Dominique Vivant Denon (aka Vivant De Non; Vivant Denon) (1747–1825)

“Four Head Studies”, 1799, published in Paris in 1802 as plate 109 (CIX.iii.1-4) to Denon's “Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Egypte”, volume III.

Denon offers the following description of the men portrayed in this print: (transl.) “[from the left] Head of a Bedouin Arab (see the journal, volume 1, page 91) - 2. A sheikh of Fua; his brown complexion and white beard made a beautiful contrast; they offered me the image of Laban. 3 and 4. Two brothers, sheikhs of Ballasse, of a Raphaelesque character” (see p. 194, plate CIX, number 3 [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65015577/f204.item]).   

Etching on wove paper with small margins backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 13.9 x 18.7cm; (plate) 12.5 x 17.5cm

Lettered in plate: (lower left) “Denon Del et Sculp.”

TIB 12101.452 (Petra ten-Doesschate Chu 1988, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Dominique Vivant Denon: French Masters of the Nineteenth Century”, Vol. 121 [Part 2], New York, Abaris Books, p. 24, cat. no. [12101].452).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1952-0405-86.

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed (near faultless) impression with small margins and laid onto a sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper providing wide margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions of significant stains.

I am selling this freely drawn etching executed with great confidence and knowledge—notice, for example, how the artist has altered the strength of the lines so that the closest head is the darkest to project it forward and the furthest heads are the lightest—for AU$256 (approximately US$168.31, EUR 143.30, or GBP 124.73), with worldwide express shipping included. Please note that any applicable import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in this carefully organised composition of head studies showing a Bedouin Arab at left and three sheikhs including one with a white beard beside him on the right, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.