Birds of Prey

Oiseaux de Proie (original French title)

Aquatint and etching printed on tan wove paper.
Etching and aquatint printed in olive-green on Arches laid paper.

Reference: Stein & Karshan 55; Boyer & Cate 55.

Rare and possibly unique trial proof in black ink. The edition of 100, which was published in album III of “L'Estampe Originale” was printed in olive-green ink.

While this print requires close scrutiny to fully appreciate, it is one of the moodiest symbolist prints one will find. Looks closely and you will find the lovers embracing in death, as vultures start their macabre feast. Dark, poetic, fin-de-siècle stuff.

Signed in pencil.

Two short tears, backed with mulberry for protection; one each in the top and bottom margins. Small margins, one quarter of an inch to one inch wide.