Arthur Mayeur, “L'enlèvement de Psyché”, 1871, after Pierre Paul Prud'hon

Arthur Mayeur (also known as Arthur-Jules Mayeur) (1871–1934)

“L'enlèvement de Psyché” (The Abduction of Psyche), 1871

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching and engraving with hand-colouring (possibly contemporaneous) on a full sheet of heavy cream wove paper with deckle edges on all sides. The design is based on Pierre-Paul Prud'hon’s (1758–1823) 1808 painting of the same composition, now in the collection of the Musée du Louvre, Paris (see: https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010060092). The etching was printed and published by the Chalcographie du Louvre and bears the dry-stamp of the Chalcographie at lower centre.

This is a strong, well-printed impression featuring finely executed and subtle hand-colouring. The sheet shows a band of age-toning (possibly dust) at the top, a closed tear in the upper-left corner of the margin, and pencil notations on the lower corners. Otherwise, it is in good condition, free of holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 65.8 x 50.4 cm
• Platemark: 51.6 x 39.5 cm
• Image borderline: 43.5 x 34.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Left: “P.-P. PRUD'HON PINX^T.”
• Centre: “L'ENLÈVEMENT DE PSYCHÉ / CHALCOGRAPHIE DU LOUVRE”
• Right: “A. MAYEUR SCULP^T.”

Reference:

• Musée du Louvre: https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl020531918  

Price & Shipping:

AU$280 (approx. US$201.40 / €170.46 / £148.29), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this exceptional hand-coloured etching (with engraving) depicting the mythological episode in which Psyche, the mortal wife of Cupid, is carried by Zephyrs to a hidden, enchanted valley—an important moment representing her secret refuge or trial—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.