Mariano Fortuny, “Young Man Standing Dressed in Rags”, c.1862

Mariano Fortuny (aka Mariano José María Bernardo Fortuny y Carbo; Mariano José María Bernardo Fortuny y Marsal) (1838–1874)

“Young Man Standing Dressed in Rags” (aka “Un Pouilleux”—lousy/flea-ridden/seedy/miserable), c.1862, a proof before the addition of the artist’s stamped signature and lettering for publication as plate 13 in a folio of 28 etchings (see the published state held by the MET: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/656766),  

Etching with plate tone on fine laid paper with partial watermark.

Size: (sheet) 25.3 x 16.2cm; (plate) 17 x 11cm; (image borderline) 15.4 x 9.4cm.

Inscribed in plate: (upper right corner) “Fortuny/ Roma”.

Vives i Piqué 13 (Rosa Vives i Piqué, 1991, “Fortuny, gravador: Estudi crític i catàleg raonat”, Associació d'Estudis Reusencs, cat. no. 13).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: “A man with a cloak around his lower half searching in the folds for fleas. c.1862” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1932-0312-101).

Condition: a well-printed impression. Beyond unevenness on the left edge, the sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or signs of handling.

I am selling this rare and very beautiful etching before lettering for publication, for AU$304 (approximately US$195.95, EUR 171.30, or GBP 147.87), including express mail shipping worldwide.  Import duties, if any, are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this sensitively executed representation of a man who is down on his luck—note the almost shimmering effect produced by the artist’s use of small strokes to render the figure—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.