Forest

Forêt (original French title)

Etching on laid paper, circa 1874.
Reference: Bourcard & Goodfriend 42.
A rich impression, the black ink almost pouring off the paper, lending the composition a dark and ominous feeling. Bourcard mentions that the plate was bitten very deeply and that some impressions are "very black", while others are inked so as to suggest some more light in the trees.
This early work, as some others of that time, is somewhat perplexing, rooted in existing 19th century landscape tradition, but also starting to show the artist's concern with creating unexpected atmospheres.
Signed with the large red owl stamp (Lugt 977). 
Provenance: the family of the artist, sold in 1977 at the first studio auction, with the sale monogram stamp on the verso (Lugt 4244).
With the J and G (Jim Goodfriend) initials, forming a butterfly stamped on the verso.

The price listed includes a credit card fee.
Net price, if paid by check: $1,200.