Christ. Self-portrait of the artist 1895
Louis Auguste Legrand
* 1863 in Dijon † 1951 in Livry-Gargan
Etching and aquatint printed in grey-green ink. Size of sheet: 63.5 x 42.3 cm.
Signed.
Literature: Arwas 98 (II/III of IV).
Provenance: Gustave Pellet (Paris, 1859–1919) (Lugt 1193).
£ 2,600. -
A very fine large proof impression aside the edition of 100, with margins all around. Proof impressions as ours published by Pellet were often marked with the publisher’s distinctive red monogram stamp.
The image itself, a depiction of the artist as Christ is most unusual, and even more so as it stands in strong contrast to the recurring theme of urban nightlife and cabaret usually favoured by Legrand.
Legrand, an underrated printmaker and artist, has been frequently compared to Edgar Degas, especially in regards to his best known images of ballet dancers.
As a printmaker, Legrand was eager to try out and explore new techniques. His creative approach is reflected in this print that has the character of a unique impression through the unusual choice of the grey-green colour and the way the ink is applied in transparent layers. Other known copies of our print tend to be printed in brown and black.
In our print, Legrand demonstrates a methamorphosic approach that is in keeping with the thinking of French literature and art of the Fin de Siecle, and reminds particularly of the artist Gustave Moreau and the American writer Edgar Allen Poe who was highly influential on the arts in France.
Gustave Pellet was the famous publisher of Louis Legrand, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Félicien Rops. He published Legrand’s prints and three books illustrated by him between 1898 – 1914 (Livre d’Heures (1898), La Faune Parisienne (1901), and Poème a l’Eau-Forte (1914).