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PLANETE DES ARTS Me Véronique Dubois
94
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Attributed to the workshop of Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883)
Man…
See original version (French)
94
-
Attributed to the workshop of Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883)
Man…
See original version (French)
Estimate €300 - €500
Voluntary lot
Description
Attributed to the workshop of Gustave Doré (1832 - 1883)
Man lying near a grove and sketch of two small figures in the lower right-hand corner
Drawing on prepared wood matrix (bois de bout)
Stamped "atelier Doré" lower right (Cf. Frits Lugt, Marques de Collections, no. 681a)
This drawing, executed directly on a wooden matrix intended for engraving, is typical of Gustave Doré's workshop, where the compositions were laid out on wood before being interpreted by professional engravers.
The absence of an engraving suggests a preparatory stage or an unfinished project.
Dimensions: 18 x 13.5 cm / thickness: 2.5 cm
Conservation: scratches and stains.
Although it is unsigned, and in the absence of any currently-identified correspondence with a published illustration, the work bears witness to workshop work, possibly carried out under the supervision of Gustave Doré. Without being able to attribute the work to the artist with certainty, it should be remembered that he drew directly on the matrices before entrusting them to his numerous engravers. In fact, and quite logically, it is extremely rare to find one of his works executed on the wood itself, whose original drawing was destined to disappear under the gouge and burin of the engravers.
The Bibliothèque nationale's Department of Prints and Photography holds some of these rare original matrices. For example, a plate intended to illustrate the work of Shakespeare [...] drawn in wash on end wood, which was not chosen for engraving, shows how Doré drew or more often painted very freely on wood, combining the use of pencil with that of a brush dipped in ink, wash or white gouache.
Sources and bibliography:
Valérie Sueur-Hermel, L'œuvre de Gustave Doré au département des Estampes et de la photographie, article in "L'imaginaire au pouvoir" (BNF)
See original version (French)
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Ref. : 0720 - 16
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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