Gustave Greux, “Clog Makers in the Quimerc'h Woods (Finistère)”, 1877, after Camille Bernier

Gustave Greux (also known as Gustave Marie Greux) (1838–1919)

“Clog Makers in the Quimerc'h Woods (Finistère)” (“Sabotiers dans le Bois de Quimerc’h [Finistère]”), 1877

Contextual Commentary:

This original etching with drypoint by Gustave Greux is based on Camille Bernier's (1823–1902) painting exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1877. The composition depicts Breton clog makers (sabotiers) crafting traditional wooden footwear directly within the Quimerc'h forest in Finistère, Brittany. Historically, the Quimerc'h woods—located near the present-day Cranou forest on the edge of the Monts d'Arrée—sheltered entire itinerant communities of forest artisans. These specialised craftsmen lived in temporary woodland settlements, using freshly felled beech and birch wood to carve the iconic botou-coad (wooden clogs).

This fine impression was printed in Paris by the master printer François Liénard (fl. c. 1860s–1880s) and was published in 1877 as a premium insert for the prestigious art periodical L'Art (Volume IX / Tomes II of that year).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with drypoint on buff-coloured laid paper with full margins as issued.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed — almost faultless! Note that the impression retains the very fine and faint scratched historic inscription below the image at centre: “G. Greux d’apres G. Bernier.”

The sheet is in pristine condition—completely free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, handling marks, foxing, and stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 29.0 x 43 cm
• Platemark: 20.8 x 28.7 cm
• Image borderline: 17.8 x 26.6 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Above image: (centre) “Salon de 1877.”
• Below image: (left) “C. Bernier. pinx. / L’Art.”; (centre) “SABOTIERS DANS LE BOIS DE QUIMERC’H (Finistère)”; (right) “G. Greux. sc. / F^çois Liénard. Imp. Paris.”
• Scratched inscription below image at centre: “G. Greux d’aprés G. Bernier.”

References:

• IFF 6 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: GAVARRET–GUILLARD”, vol. 9, 1955, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, p. 376, cat. no. 11) — Available via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Gallica): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54892064/f388.item
• Pierre Sanchez & Xavier Seydoux, “Les Estampes de L’Art (1875–1907)”, 1999, Paris, L’Echelle de Jacob, p. 56
• British Museum: Museum number 1878,0511.320 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1878-0511-320

Price & Shipping:

AU$224 (approximately US$157.65 / €140.70 / £117.87), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this superb etching sparkling with tonal contrasts, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.