Théophile Chauvel, “Clair de Lune”, 1873, after John Crome the Younger

Théophile Chauvel (aka Théophile-Narcisse Chauvel) (1831–1909)

“Clair de Lune” (Moonlight), 1873, after a painting by John Crome the Younger (aka John Barney Crome; John Berney Crome) (1768-1821), printed by François Liénard (fl.c.1860s–1880s) and published in Paris by Jules Alexandre Saturnin Claye (aka Jules Claye) (1806–1886) between pages 16 and 17 in “Collection de M. John W. Wilson: exposée dans la Galerie du Cercle Artistique et Littéraire de Bruxelles: Et Littéraire de Bruxelles, Au Profit Des Pauvres de Cette Ville” (Collection of Mr. John W. Wilson exhibited in the gallery of the Artistic and Literary Circle of Brussels, for the benefit of the poor of that city).

Archive.org offers an online view of this print and its context in the publication: https://archive.org/details/collectiondemjoh00gale/page/n41/mode/2up. The accompanying text facing the print gives the following description: (transl.) “In the foreground, on the left, are the crenelated wall and a tower of a ruined castle. To the right, water, a willow, and other trees. The rising moon pierces this clump of trees with its rays.”

Note: The IFF (Inventaire du Fonds Français) (1949) advises that John Crome the Elder (aka “Old Crome”) (1768–1821) made the painting on which this etching is based (see cat. no. 26, p. 421 [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5510949t/f443.item]. Nevertheless, I am mindful that reference to John Crome the Younger (John Barney Crome) is inscribed in plate as the painter and that after looking through Norman L. Goldberg’s [1978] catalogue of works by John Crome the Elder that this painting is not described.

Etching on laid paper with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 35.3 x 26.2 cm; (plate) 22.8 x 17.7 cm; (image borderline) 18.5 x 15.7 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “John Barney Crome pinx.”; (centre) “CLAIR DE LUNE/ F^çois Liénard,Imp.Paris.”; (right) “Th.Chauvel, sc.”

IFF 26 (Jean Adhémar 1949, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: CABANE–CICÉRI”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 4, p. 423, cat. no. 26 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5510949t/f443.item]).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-1013-1817.

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed (near faultless) impression with generously wide margins in a pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or signs of handling.

I am selling this superb and densely worked etching, for AU$238 approximately (US$155.30, EUR 132.75, or GBP 115.15), with worldwide express shipping included. Please note that any applicable import duties are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you're interested in purchasing this evocative etching, which depicts a softly glowing scene of moonlight illuminating castle ruins and, upon close inspection, a worker carrying a bundle of timber, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send you a PayPal invoice to streamline the payment process.