Charles Jacque, “Tir à la Bécasse”, 1864

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“Tir à la Bécasse” (Woodcock Shooting), 1864

Description:

J.-J. Guiffrey (1866), in his catalogue raisonné of Charles Jacque’s etchings and drypoints, describes this print (in translation): “Beneath a tall canopy, a hunter, one knee resting on a large moss-covered stone, takes aim at two woodcocks that take flight. The left side is occupied by two large tree trunks; one entirely covered in ivy and vegetation. A dense thicket of tall trees fills the background.” (p. 89)

This scene captures a suspended moment of tension at the critical dramatic instant when a hunter aims his gun at woodcocks flying for cover amidst a lush woodland setting. It not only exemplifies Jacque’s confidence and ease with the etching needle but also showcases his keen observation of nature.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with dot-roulette on heavy, watermarked laid paper with wide margins. This is a rare first-state impression, prior to any lettering or publication marks. It is the first plate in a series of twenty-four executed in 1864 and distributed between 1864–1865 (Collection published in 1864, Guiffrey 177–201).

In the later published state of this etching, the inscribed details identify Sarazin (also known as Sarasin, active circa 1846–1880) as the printer.

Note: The British Museum holds an impression of the later, lettered state under: Museum Number 1865,0429.148 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1865-0429-148).

This impression is richly inked and well-printed, serving as an artist’s proof. It remains in near-pristine, museum-quality condition—entirely free of tears, holes, folds, stains, or handling marks.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.4 x 24.2 cm
• Platemark: 17.0 x 10.7 cm
• Image borderline: 15.6 x 9.9 cm

References:

• Guiffrey 177 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches,” 1866, Paris, Lemaire, p. 89, cat. no. 177 [Premier état])
• IFF 280 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 114, cat. no. 280)— Available via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Gallica): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f126.item  

Price & Shipping:

AU$274 (approximately US$190.42 / €166.96 / £143.17), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this remarkable etching—where the fine white line of the hunter’s rifle, tilted toward the two flying woodcocks, becomes the dramatic focal point—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Charles Jacque, “L’été”, 1864

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“L’été” (Summer), 1864

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with dot-roulette on fine buff-coloured laid paper with wide margins. This is a rare first state impression before lettering for publication. It is the ninth plate in a series of twenty-four prints executed in 1864 and distributed between 1864–1865 (Collection Publiée en 1864, Guiffrey 177–201).

In the later published state of this etching, the inscribed details show Sarazin (also known as Sarasin, active circa 1846–1880) as the printer.

Note: The British Museum holds an impression of the later, lettered state under: Museum Number 1865,0429.156 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1865-0429-156).

The impression is richly inked and well-printed—a near-faultless artist’s proof. Aside from a small replenished hole below the image at right (visible only when held to a light source), the sheet remains in excellent, museum-quality condition. It is entirely free of tears, folds, stains, or handling marks.

J.-J. Guiffrey (1866) describes this specific composition (translated from the French): “A country girl, dressed in a gown that leaves her shoulder and leg bare, sits on a mound under a tree near a rough fence. She is feeding a small bird. On the other side of the fence, a shepherd in a wide-brimmed hat and coat leans on his elbow, talking to the girl. His flock spreads out on a rise divided in two by a wooden fence, at the top of which the silhouette of a dog stands out against the sky” (p. 92).

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 39.4 x 28 cm
• Platemark: 21 x 13.2 cm
• Image borderline: 13 x 9.8 cm

References:

• Guiffrey 185 (J.-J. Guiffrey, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches,” 1866, Paris, Lemaire, p. 92, cat. no. 185 [Premier état])
• Beraldi 9 (Henri Beraldi, “Les Graveurs du Dix-Neuvième Siècle: GUÉRIN–LACOSTE,” vol. VIII, 1889, Paris, Librairie L. Conquet, p. 188, cat. no. 9 [referencing Guiffrey 185])
• IFF 288 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG,” vol. 11, 1960, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 115, cat. no. 288)— https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f127.item

Price & Shipping:

AU$274 (approximately US$191.38 / €167.21 / £142.26), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this sublimely beautiful and extraordinarily rare etching in its initial proof state before lettering and later drypoint/engraving rework, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Charles Jacque, “L'Arrivée au Champ”, 1864

Charles Jacque (also known as Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)
“L'Arrivée au Champ” (Arrival at the Field), 1864

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching with drypoint and dot roulette on chine collé, on heavy wove paper. The impression is strong and well-printed, with restored (almost invisible) chips in the borderline. The sheet is in excellent condition, free from stains, or signs of handling.

This is Plate 7,3 from an untitled series of twenty-four etchings published in 1864 (Guiffrey catalogue nos. 177 to 212). The plate was printed in Paris by Sarazin (also known as Sarasin) (fl. circa 1846–1880).

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 19.4 x 29.1 cm
• Plate: 13.2 x 24 cm
• Chine collé: 9.4 x 20.6 cm
• Image borderline: 8.5 x 19.9 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Within the image borderline at lower right corner: “Ch. Jacque”
• Lower left: “CH. JACQUE SC”
• Lower centre: “L'ARRIVÉE AU CHAMP”
• Lower right: “SARAZIN IMP PARIS / [faintly] PL. 7, 3.”

References:

• Guiffrey 183 (J.-J. Guiffrey, 1868, L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches, Paris, Lemaire, p. 91, cat. no. 183). View online at: https://archive.org/details/luvredechjacque00guifgoog/page/n102/mode/2up
• Guiffrey describes this scene: (transl.) “Sheep, emerging from the right, scatter across the countryside. The shepherd, standing still, his chin resting on his staff, and his dog behind him, watches them pass. To the right, in the background, are trees; in the middle, a village and a church steeple occupy the background; to the left, a mill among haystacks.” (p. 91)
• IFF 286 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève, 1960, Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: HUMBLOT–JYG, vol. 11, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, p. 115, cat. no. 286). View online at: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489301d/f127.item
• The British Museum gives a description of this print at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1865-0429-154

Price & Shipping:
AU$264 (approximately US$173 / €149.01 / £130.96), including worldwide express shipping.

Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this beautifully executed print — note how the artist has captured the sparkling effect of early morning light on the foliage and the subtle gradation of the sky darkening gently to the right — 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

Charles Jacque, “Coq et Poules”, 1844

Charles Jacque (aka Charles Émile Jacque) (1813–1894)

“Coq et Poules” (Rooster and Hens), 1844, plate 24 and the final plate from a series of twenty-four etchings published in 1864 (Guiffrey cat. nos. 177 to 212), printed by Sarazin (aka Sarasin) (fl.c1846–1880).

Etching, drypoint and dot roulette on buff coloured chine collé on heavy wove paper with full margins as published.

Size: (sheet) 30.8 x 41.1 cm; (plate) 17.5 x 21.6 cm; (chine collé) 13 x 18.1 cm; (image borderline) 12.1 x 17.3 cm.

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower left) “Ch J[ac]que”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “CH. JACQUE”; (centre) “COQ ET POULES”; (right) “SARAZIN IMP./ N^o. 24. 2”.

State ii (of ii) published state with the addition drypoint and roulette retouching.

Guiffrey 201 (J.-J. Guiffrey 1868, “L’Oeuvre de Ch. Jacque: Catalogue de ses Eaux-Fortes et Pointes Sèches”, Paris, Lemaire, pp. 97–98, cat. no. 201) [https://archive.org/details/luvredechjacque00guifgoog/page/n108/mode/2up]); IFF 304 (Jean Adhémar & Jacques Lethève 1954, “Inventaire du Fonds Francais Apres 1800”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, vol. 11, p. 116, cat. no. 304).

Guiffrey (1868) offers the following description of this print: (transl.) “In a corner of a farmyard, near a pile of manure, a rooster walks proudly around his wives. On the left, a bowl; in the background, in the middle, a hen lying on top of the pile of manure; on the right, behind a black hen pecking, a broom and a bucket seen halfway” (pp. 97–98).

See also the description of this print offered by the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1889-0608-231.

Condition: a strong and well-printed early impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate with generously wide margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this insightful rendering of farmyard chooks [domestic fowl) that were an important part of Jacque’s life—mindful that not only did Jacque breed chooks, but he also wrote a book about the technical issues involved in their breeding which, according to FL Leipnik (1924) in “A History of French Etching”, “is still quoted as an authority” (p. 76)—for AU$279 in total (currently US$186.12/ EUR168.72/ GBP143.78 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$279) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this superb rendering of a farmyard scene with a strutting rooster and his wives (to borrow Guiffrey’s [1868] description of the hens), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.