Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Jean-François Renard, “N. D. de Fourvières”, c. 1846–50, after C. Charon

Jean-François Renard (active early-to-mid 1800s)

“N. D. de Fourvières” (Our Lady of Fourvière), circa 1846–1850

Dating Note:

The precise dating of this print to circa 1846–1850 is derived from the publishing history of Antoine-Joseph Langlumé. Following the dissolution of his partnership (Langlumé et Peltier) on January 29, 1846, he operated independently under his initial “J.” at the 11 Rue du Foin Saint-Jacques address.

Description & Iconography

This exceptional devotional print depicts the traditional, richly robed presentation of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child as venerated at the historic Fourvière sanctuary in Lyon, France. The crown-wearing sculpture, known as “Our Lady of Fourvière”, is the centrepiece of the high altar in the Virgin’s Chapel.

The composition portrays the monumental statue framed within a sacred niche, shown crowned under a heavenly canopy guarded by God the Father and adoring angels. This composition replicates the traditional textile coverings (habillage) and ex-voto jewellery typical of famous French pilgrimage statues. The Notre-Dame de Fourvière website offers a full historical account of the Virgin’s Chapel: https://www.fourviere.org/en/discover/notre-dame-de-fourviere/marys-chapel/.

Technical Details & Condition:

Stipple engraving with etching on heavy wove paper with full margins as issued.

The composition is after an original painting by C. Charon—highly likely to be an associate or from the close circle of the French historical, portrait, and religious painter Théophile Charon-Lémérillon (1807–1873). This print is Plate 21 from a devotional series published in Paris by Antoine-Joseph Langlumé (1801–1870) at his independent workshop.

A strong, crisp, and evenly inked impression. The sheet is in excellent condition for its large size, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant staining.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 46.3 x 34.6 cm
• Platemark (faint): 40? x 29.7? cm
• Image borderline: 30 x 22.9 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “C. Charon pinx.”
• Centre: “N. D. DE FOURVIÈRES. / Paris, J. Langlumé éditeur, Rue du Foin St. Jacques 11. / Déposé.”
• Right “Renard sculp.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$228 (approximately US$160.10 / €140.12 / £119.05), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare engraving—which does not appear in standard institutional museum or online repositories—exemplifying the artist’s dense stippling technique, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold