Albert Maignan, “Merlin the Enchanter and the Fairy of the Lake”, 1904

Albert Maignan (also known as Albert Pierre René Maignan) (1845–1908)

“Merlin the Enchanter and the Fairy of the Lake” (“Merlin l’enchanteur et la fée du Lac” or “Merlin l'enchanteur et la fée Viviane”), 1904

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on heavy cream laid paper (A. Porcabeuf watermark) with wide margins as issued. Published in Paris by the Société des Amis de l'Eau-forte (Society of Friends of Etching, founded in Paris in 1897) and bearing the publisher’s dry stamp (blind stamp) of the ligature letters “AEF” in the lower left margin. This print was not part of a narrative series on Arthurian legends. Instead, it was issued exclusively as a loose impression for the society's annual subscription portfolio, “Exercice 1904.”

Although published by the Société des Amis de l'Eau-forte (as authenticated by the dry stamp), this impression represents an early state of the plate—characterised by pure etching with crisp linework and delicate linear shading. It demarcates a state before letters and additional tonal work, predating the version seen in some public collections (such as inventory no. E 2019-0347-009 at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève), which features substantial additional cross-hatching, heavy tonal linework, and added lettered text in the lower right reading: “IMPRIMÉ POUR LA VILLE DE GENÈVE.”

The society strictly limited its membership roster to approximately 100 to 200 elite collectors during this period. Consequently, the contemporary edition size for this 1904 printing is exceptionally small (approx. 100 copies), making extant impressions highly scarce.

A strong, rich, and well-printed impression with excellent contrast. The sheet features exceptionally wide margins as originally issued. Aside from a few small closed tears confined to the outer left edge of the sheet and minor surface marks on the verso, the paper remains in excellent condition. It is entirely free of holes, folds, foxing, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 61.6 x 44 cm
• Platemark: 52.7 x 39.1 cm
• Image borderline: 41.8 x 30 cm

References:

• Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève: inv. no. E 2019-0347-008 (matching this impression)
• Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève: Inv. no. E 2019-0347-009 (later impression)

Price & Shipping:

AU$288 (approximately US$203.48 / €175.24 / £151.55), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this rare, early-state impression—capturing a dream-like, poetic interaction between a mesmerised Merlin and the captivating Viviane—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.