AUTOGRAPHED Paul de Longpre Chromo Print of Poppies! --Listed Artist, Signed: Fountain Pen Signature-- Antique Victorian

Fine Art : Printmaking : Chromolithograph : Signed

 

This auction is for a **RARE** gorgeous floral study by the celebrated Victorian artist, Paul de Longpre. This French Victorian watercolorist is well listed in all the art books (Davenports), as well as AskArt. Most people don't know, but Paul's favorite flower was first and foremost the little white daisy. When he came West from New York in 1900, he also favored the California Poppy, and painted many studies of poppies, some in vases, others in old Indian woven baskets. This old chromo print was made by Kaufmann & Strauss, and underneath the mat it measures 15 x 20 inches.

**This print is signed by de Longpre himself, in fountain pen ink, as follows: "To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Byron, Sincerely Yours, P. de Longpre".** The script he used is scrolly and decorative, what one would expect considering the flair for which he painted watercolors. No doubt this was a print sold and autographed at his estate, as he was often found browsing in his garden, right alongside his guests. What is so wonderful about this piece is that one can imagine that de Longpre himself held this print in his hands to sign, and probably blew on it a bit to dry the ink.

De Longpre often provided hidden details into his paintings, and if you look closely at the glass vase, you can see a window reflection. Gathered at the base of the vase are a few violet sprigs. The burnished gold frame echoes the golden poppies, and the sueded green mat with an embossed leaf design is just spectacular. Also inside the green mat is a gold accent mat. This print is over 100 years old . **ALL the framing and matting work was done in archival materials, acid-free mats, and UV plexiglass--museum quality.** The overall size with the frame is aprox 22 x 25 inches. (Please note that he colors are brighter and more colorful than the photos show.) This print comes from the collection of Nancy C. Hall, the author of the book "The Life & Art of Paul de Longpre" (please inquire if you haven't seen the book!).

This print is an antique chromolithograph. Chromo's were very labor intensive to make, as a stone was required for each color layer. Layers upon layers of oil-based inks give the color an almost pearly sheen, rich, even bleeding somewhat to the backside. As many as 20 stones may have been required to make a single print. All of the color transfers had to align perfectly, or the image would be blurry. This one is right on. Color prints changed over to what we now know as photolithography around 1900. By 1910, chromo's were virtually phased out. Please note: Shipping is an estimate at the parcel post rate, we'll adjust if needed at checkout for you.

Item ID: RL21

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Only a few hand-autographed studies are known in the world today! This is one of them!