Charles Bellay, “Portrait of Paul Baudry”, 1876

Charles Bellay (aka Charles Paul Alphonse Bellay) (1826–1900)

“Portrait of Paul Baudry”—the French painter and draughtsman (aka Paul Jacques Aimé Baudry) (1828–1886), 1876, a first state impression with dedication from Charles Bellay to Paul Baudry inscribed in plate at lower right, before lettering with the publication details for the Société Française de Gravure (1868–1901). I understand that the Société Française de Gravure published this print in Paris in its lettered state in 1886 (see IFF, vol. 2, pp. 106–07, cat. no. 14).

Etching with drypoint on chine collé on heavy wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 41.2 x 26.5cm; (plate) 29.5 x 18.7cm; (chine collé) 28.2 x 17.6cm; (image borderline) 26.4 x 15.7cm.

Inscribed in plate: (upper left) “.Baudry./ .Paul.”; (lower right) “A mon [ami?] [P?] Baudy/ Ch. Bellay/ 1876”.

IFF 14 (Jean Laren 1937, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 2, pp. 106–07, cat. no. 14 [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488531x/f115.double#]).

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed impression. The chine collé has been reattached to the original support sheet and there is a restored abrasion in the chine collé at lower right. Beyond minor surface marks in the margins, the sheet has no holes, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this exceptionally beautiful portrait of the renowned artist, Paul Baudry, capturing his friendly but reserved disposition—perhaps it’s Baudry’s projecting elbow that hints at a boundary to his amiability, but the softness of his expression, the whimsical twist of his moustache and ruffled hair suggests his inner warmth—for AU$276 (currently US$180.62/EUR166.97/GBP138.96 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$276) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this outstanding portrait, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

Charles Paul Alphonse Bellay’s engraving, “Christ a la Monnaie”, 1885, after Titian

Charles Paul Alphonse Bellay (1826–1900)

“Christ a la Monnaie” (aka “Christ has the Coin”; “Christ with the Denarius”), 1885, plate 53 after Titian’s (aka Tiziano; Tiziano Vecellio) (1489/90–1576) painting of the same title (1514-15) (first version) in Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, printed by Charles Chardon (1832–1896) and published by the Société Française de Gravure (aka Société des Graveurs au Burin) (fl.1868–)—a society that the BM advises was founded by Henriquel-Dupont at the Gazette des Beaux-Arts to publish plates for distribution to its members (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG183625).

Engraving on cream chine collé on heavy wove paper with wide margins.

Size: (sheet) 63.4 x 48.7 cm; (plate) 41 x 29.6 cm; (chine collé) 38.7 x 27.3 cm; (image borderline) 18.8 x 21.7 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “TITIEN PINX^T.”; (centre) “SOCIÉTÉ FRANÇAISE DE GRAVURE/ [stamped in ink] 53/ Imp. Ch. Chardon”; (right) “CH. BELLAY SCULP^T.”

Beraldi 22 (Henri Béraldi 1885, “Les Graveurs du XIXe Siècle: Guide de l'Amateur d'Estampes Modernes: Bellangé – Bovinet”, vol. 2, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 26, cat. no. 22).

Condition: a richly inked and near faultless impression with generously wide margins. The front side of the sheet (recto) is in near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or signs of handling, but the back of the sheet (verso) shows faint spots of foxing.

I am selling this huge and exceptionally rare engraving exemplifying the discipline and skill of a master engraver for AU$304 in total (currently US$209.633/EUR209.08/GBP179.44 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this masterwork of engraving—note that the portrayed event in which Christ advises regarding the paying of taxes that one should “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” had added meaning for Duke Alfonzo who commissioned Titian to paint the scene as the Duke had been excommunicated by the Papacy because he wasn’t prepared to fund the Papacy’s war interests—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold