Jean-Louis Forain was considered one of the most important artists in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His friend Degas got him interested in ballet and its dancers and patrons as subjects for his art. This etching was first done in the late 1870's and shows an "abonne" (subscriber/patron) waiting in the wings for his favorite dancer, with a bouquet of flowers for her. Forain was critical of the abonne, who often supported young dancers ... frequently in exchange for an expected relationship that included sexual favors from the dancer. In this image he portrays the abonne as a naive, comical figure.

 

This piece is from the ~1910 reprint of 25 copies made from the original plate. The publisher was M.G. Pellet. (The first printing was pulled in the late 1870's and was also limited to 25 copies.) Forain signed his name in the original etching plate. 

 

- Title:  Le Gommeur au Bouquet

- Artist:  Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931, French)

- Year of publication:  ~1910

- Edition of 25, printed by M.G. Pellet from Forain's original plate

- Image size:  11 inches H x 7-7/8 inches W (28.1 cm x 20 cm)

- Sheet size 16 inches H x 11.5 inches W (40.6 cm x 29.2 cm)

 

No evidence of previous matting or mounting. Conservation mounted in tan and white, acid-free double-matting using all acid-free materials.  Protected in an elegant, antiqued frame with UV-resistant Plexiglass cover. Framed size is 25.25 inches H x 21.25 inches W (64.1 cm x 54 cm). Note that a handling crease is visible on close inspection in the margin at the lower right corner of the matte. In addition two compression marks are visible on close inspection at the top of the margin near the matte. None of these affect the image.

 

Price is $520 USD.  J D Smith Fine Art will provide a Certificate of Authenticity to the buyer.