Jules Laurens, “Head of Jesus”, circa 1869–1870, after Da Vinci

Jules Laurens (also known as Jules Joseph Augustin Laurens) (1825–1901)

“Head of Jesus”— a study in reverse after the depiction of Christ in Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, circa 1869–1870 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_%28Leonardo%29)

Technical Details & Condition:

Crayon-manner lithograph printed in black on heavy pale grey wove paper.

The lithograph was produced under the artistic direction of Sébastien Cornu (also known as Sébastien-Melchior Cornu) (1804–1870)—an academic painter and art educator involved in designing curricula for art institutions and French schools. It was printed in Paris by Lemercier & Cie (active 1827–1899) and published by August-Jean Morel (1820–1869).

The impression is crisp, strong and well-printed. Aside from a minor dot in the upper right, the sheet is in excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 49 x 32.3 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper left: “COURS ÉLÉMENTAIRE”
• Upper right: “PL_15”
• Lower left: “Sébast. Cornu direx^t.”
• Lower centre: “A. Morel Edit, 13, rue Bonaparte / Imp. Lemercier & C^ie, Paris”
• Lower right: “Laurens Lith”

Reference:

• IFF 63 (Jacques Lethève & Françoise Gardey, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: LAURENCE–LÉPAGNEZ”, 1965, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 13, p. 24, cat. no. 63)— View entry on BnF Gallica: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54892331/f36.image

Price & Shipping:

AU$229 (approx. US$163.44 / €140.39 / £121.48), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this finely executed study of a head—based on the head of Christ depicted in Leonardo’s The Last Supper—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’m happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Claude Lorrain, “The Flight into Egypt”, 1630–33 (2nd copy)

Claude Lorrain (aka Claude Gellée; Claude Le Lorrain; Claudio di Lorena) (1600–1682)

“The Flight into Egypt” (also known as “Vlucht naar Egypte” and “La fuite en Egypte”), 1630–33, printed from the original plate by McCreery in his 1816 edition of “200 Etchings”.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine cream wove paper, trimmed along and slightly within the plate mark. The sheet has been professionally conserved with a washi paper support sheet. 

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and well-printed. The sheet is in excellent condition with no significant stains; however, when held to the light, faint traces of mounting on the verso may be visible in the upper corners. 

This piece is among Lorrain’s earlier prints, displaying the “right” mixture of a novice artist’s stylistic exploration and a struggle to communicate the essence of the biblical scene—focused on the Holy Family’s escape (assisted by angels) from King Herod’s edict to kill all newly born male children. 

In my view, Lorrain’s attempt to find a cohesive expressive voice is evident in the treatment of the landscape. For example, the mimetic rendering of the treetops in the upper right shows a different mindset compared to the horizontal strokes depicting the sky and the cleaved rocks in the foreground. Notice how he transitions from the cool, formulaic treatment of the rocks to a more sensuous, cross-hatched depiction of the broken ground on the left. Even in the sky, stylistic shifts are apparent—especially in the flurry of burnished adjustments mid-space. 

Regarding the biblical narrative, the Holy Family appears somewhat “lost” in shadows rather than being the visual focal point. While this may be viewed as a shortfall, personally, it allows the composition to read as a cohesive landscape, shimmering with light and atmosphere. 

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 10.5 x 17.5 cm
• Image borderline: 10.3 x 17 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• lower right “CLAU”

References:

• Blum 2; Mannocci 9; Robert-Dumesnil 1; IFF 2
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200130480
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_M-12-8

Please note that I previously listed a different impression of this etching (now sold): https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2019/04/claude-lorrains-etching-flight-into.html  

Price & Shipping:

AU$384 (approx. US$273.89 / €235.91 / £203.97), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this exceptionally rare etching by one of the most renowned early landscape artists, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’m happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.