Superb After Degas Etching-Aquatint La Chanteuse et Le Pianiste 1934.

This is the second Etching I have from the same series. It was originally executed by Edgar Degas as a monotype in 1878/79. It is one of a portfolio of unpublished Degas monotypes titled Scenes de Maison Closes (scenes from a brothel).

After Degas' death French publisher Ambrose Vollard commissioned master etcher Maurice Potin to turn the monotypes into illustrations for a book titled 'La Maison Tellier' by Guy de Maupasson.

Potin had to etch as many a 3 different copper plates to capture the rich feathery effects of each Degas monotype. A project which took him six years to complete. These superbly engraved plates of aquatint-etching detail the real black and true pastel colors of the originals. The Etchings are known as Potin after Degas.

Unsigned, on deep cream watermarked Velin du Marais the Etching has a deep plate mark. The sheet is 9" x 11 1/2" and the subject measures 7 1/2" x 6 1/2" and is in Condition A.

Hilaire-Germaine-Edgar de Gas (1834-1917) was born in Paris and began his illustrious career by making copies of famous works hanging in the Louvre. Described as an Impressionist he was influenced by the Japanese woodblock prints that were becoming popular in Europe at the time. He started painting dancers in 1868 and it became his passion, and along with the seedy side of Montmartre life was the subject of most of his many works. He began experimenting with the monotype etching process in the 1860's and became a proficient etcher, although most of his etchings were not published until after his death. Hence the lack of a signature.

I have another Etching from this series RL00128. Please email for a 'special' price for the pair.

Item ID: RL00145