Théodore Géricault & Eugène Lami, “Le Giaour”, 1823

Théodore Géricault (also known as Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault) (1791–1824) in collaboration with Eugène Lami (also known as Eugène Louis Lami, Eugène Lamy, and Eugène Lamie) (1800–1890)

“Le Giaour” (The Infidel), 1823

Technical Details & Condition:

Lithograph printed in black on heavy wove paper with wide margins. This print is from the celebrated series “Oeuvres de Lord Byron,” published in Paris by Gihaut Frères (active 1815–1871). This impression is from the third and final state (Delteil 95, III/III), following the erasure of the printer details for Villain (active 1822–1852).

The impression is strong, evenly inked, and well-pressed. The sheet is in pristine condition—entirely free of tears, pinholes, folds, abrasions, stains, or handling marks.

Narrative Subject:

The dramatic scene is based on Lord Byron's famous 1813 narrative Romantic poem, “The Giaour.” The Turkish leader, Hassan, is shown fallen in the foreground with his “back to earth, his face to heaven.” Above him on horseback, the vengeful anti-hero, the Giaour, brands his sabre and looks down upon his dying enemy “with brow / As dark as his that bled below.”

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 28.1 x 38.8 cm
• Image borderline: 15.3 x 21.1 cm

In-Plate / Stone Lettering:

• Above image (centre): “LE GIAOUR”
• Below image (left): “Géricault et Eug. Lami.1823.”
• Below the image (centre): “.... Cet ennemi est là qui le contemple..... son front est aussi sombre que celui qui est couvert / des ombres du trépas.......” (Translation: “...This enemy is there contemplating him... his brow is as dark as that which is covered by the shadows of death...”).
• Below the image (right): “chez Gihaut frères, éditeurs.”

References:

• Deteil 95 (Loÿs Delteil, Le Peintre-Graveur Illustré, Vol. 18 [Géricault], cat. no. 95)
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-1114-313
• Yale University Art Gallery: https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/89632

Price & Shipping:

AU$363 (approximately US$255.17 / €221.08 / £190.76), including worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes (if applicable) are the buyer’s responsibility.

To acquire this rare and important lithograph in pristine condition, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Théodore Géricault's lithograph, “Deux Chevaux Promenés par un Jockey”, 1822

Théodore Géricault (1791–1824) (designer) in collaboration with Joseph Simon Volmar (1796–1865) (lithographer).

Regarding the execution of this lithograph, Loys Delteil (1902) in his catalogue raisonné for Gericault advises: “Lithographie exécutée en grande partie par Joseph Volmar” (lithograph was executed to a great extent by Joseph Volmar” (p. 122).

“Deux Chevaux Promenés par un Jockey” (Two Horses Exercised by a Jockey), 1822, from the series of twelve lithographs and the title plate, “Études de Chevaux” (Horse Studies) (aka “Grands Chevaux” [Great Horses]), printed by François le Villain (aka Villain; Ch Villain; F Villain) (fl.1822–1852), published by Gihaut Frères (fl.1815–1871) in Paris in 1822.

Lithograph on buff-coloured wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 38.3 x 48.2 cm; (image borderline) 32.9 x 38.6 cm.

Lettered (slightly indistinctly) on plate below the image borderline: (left) "Géricault del"; (centre) "chez Gihaut éditeur et Md. d'Estampes, bard. des Italiens No.5."

State iii (of iii) with the erasure of “Lith. de Villain” at lower right (signifying state ii) and with the strong deterioration of the image at right (signifying state iii) (see Loys Delteil 1902 catalogue: https://archive.org/details/gri_33125005992975/page/n121  

Delteil 90.III (Loys Delteil 1902, “Le Peintre-Graveur Illustré [XIXe et XXe siècles]: Théodore Géricault”, vol. 18, Paris, Loys Delteil, p. 122).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print:

“One horse ridden, the other just behind, horses and rider in profile to right; wall with pillar in the background. 1822”

(https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1459363&partId=1&searchText=gericault&page=2)

See also the description of this print at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/360092

Regarding the series, “Études de Chevaux”, of which this plate is a part, the curator of the BM offers the following insights:

“Delteil quotes a passage from Ch. Clément, 'Géricault', which states that in order to satisfy public demand, the Gihaut brothers asked for a repeat of the artist's 'The English Set', but that only horses were required. Six equestrian subjects from the original series were retained and Géricault produced watercolours which were to serve as designs for the remaining six. He asked Léon Cogniet and Volmar to execute the work, and he directed the project, sending work back and making some corrections” (BM no. 1868,1114.293).

Condition: a rare impression showing the curious deterioration of the image at right (viz. the puddling of lighter tone passing over the front of the leading horse) signifying in the third and final state. The sheet is in excellent condition for its considerable age (i.e. there are no tears, folds, holes, abrasions, stains, foxing or significant signs of handling).

I am selling this lithograph that is seldom seen on the art market and executed by the hand of the grand master of Romanticism, Géricault, in collaboration with his key lithographer, Volmar, for AU$362 in total (currently US$244.88/EUR222.03/GBP200.14 at the time of 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 quietly regal masterwork with the fascinating technical breakdown of the image in its final state, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.