Charles HOUDARD

One of the finest printmakers specialized in color aquatint, neither today nor in his time did Charles-Louis Houdard (1855-1931) enjoy great recognition.  The fact that the artist seemingly didn’t practice other art forms may explain this relative obscurity.  For those however, who have admired this technique, which reached its highpoint around 1900, the compositions of Houdard are unmistakably magnificent.  He specialized in cooking grains that were particularly fine, thus lending his landscapes extremely painterly qualities.  While he had a predilection for muted tones, a great admiration for the arts of Japan, whose color woodcuts clearly influenced his art, clearly pushed him towards bright colors at times.  The bulk of the approximately 70 etched color compositions by Houdard dates from circa 1900 to 1905.

Capucines Sold
View Details

Capucines

HOUDARD, Charles

Printed from three plates on simili-japon paper. Ref: BN-IFF 3-3. State proof. It is unclear whether this composition was worked any further. Aside...

View full details