The Print Collector
L’Amateur d’Estampes (original French title)
Aquatint and etching printed in brownish-black ink on BFK Rives wove paper, circa 1910.
Published by Société Française des Amis des Arts, with their blindstamp monogram to the left of the remarque.
After an oil painting, likely exhibited at the official Salon by Henri-Georges Bréard (1873-1939).
Signed in the plate.
Plate size: 12 ½ x 10 inches. Image size (not including the remarque): 10 ⅜ x 8 ½ inches.
A small black smudge in the upper right plate corner, outside the image (see image).
The expression “showing someone their etchings”, derives from the fact that print amateurs would often store their collections in private rooms, away from windows and damaging light, and from prying eyes. This sexual innuendo, of inviting someone to view something special in a secluded room is made obvious in this composition by the depiction of multiple female nudes hanging on the wall. The aquatint technique in this print is fine and exquisitely modulated.
