Villon, Jacques . (1875-1963)
Le Concert sur la Plage, 1907.
Very scarce impression of this fine etching and aquatint, signed and numbered in pencil 43 from the edition of 50, and additionally signed within the plate. Reference: Ginestet and Pouillon 177, only state. In very good condition, on heavy cream laid watermarked Arches paper, plate size 8 5/8 x 7 3/4 in. [22.0 x 19.7 cm]. Full sheet with all but the right edge deckled, outer margins toned, old hinges and brown paper tape to verso, pencil annotations to verso, archivally matted and framed to 12.5 x 14.75 inches [32 x 38 cm].In this fine print, we get a sense of the hazy, light-filled beach setting at Treport, where Villon completed the original sketch for this work. A fascinating perspective on the light in this work was given by Villon expert Lucien Goldschmidt, who wrote that "one of the most powerfully moving of these black-and-white proofs is Sur la Plage, in which the sparkling beach scene appears to be transformed by a solar eclipse." There has been some discussion of whether this print was made in 1906 or 1907. The Biblioteque Nationale has suggested 1906, but the very fine print within the plate under Villon's name reads "07." (21848)
Art/Sculpture Classical Music