Description: 19th CENTURY HELIOGRAVURE RE-WORK BY CHARLES AMAND-DURAND (1831-1905) OF LUCAS VAN LEYDEN (1494-1533) ENGRAVING c.1508, "ST. GEORGE LIBERATES THE PRINCESS" A lovely narrative composition by Lucas, faithfully rendered for modernity by Amand Durand. The tearful princess, who was to be the next sacrifice to the dragon, is comforted by George, a soldier on horseback behind them. In the distance to the left we see the other part of the narrative - the slain dragon, with a lance in its throat. The ninetenth-century Durand re-works of rare Old Master etchings and engravings using the process of heliogravure is well documented Leyden's letter L monogram is at bottom, just right of centre. Bears the imprint of the Durand studio underneath the main image. Circa 1870-1880. Very good condition. The platemark lines are clearly visible. Wide margins. A nice sharp impression with exquisite detail and excellent tonal contrast. Printed on thick "laid" paper. Inevitably, a few unobtrusive handling marks in the blank margins, otherwise very clean. Main image measures approx. 6.5 x 4.5 inches. Platemark area and good margins beyond. Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) developed the process of heliogravure in the 1860s. It was revolutionary, and was much admired by Georges Duplessis (1834-1899), Curator of the Prints Department of the National Library in Paris. The two men decided to collaborate on a lengthy project to re-create some of the rarest Old Master prints in the French collection; Duplessis provided the originals, early states, and Durand used them to meticulously recreate them by heliogravure. The results were first published in two volumes by Duplessis under the auspices (and with the total involvement) of the French National Library. The works proved so popular that subsequent editions were printed in France in the period 1860-1885. This impression circa 1880. There was a time when the print purists looked down on the work of Durand; but, as the supply of original items has virtually dried up, collectors - and indeed museums - have come to realise that Durand's re-creations are the closest most of us will ever come to owning a lifetime impression of these rare etchings. I suggest that potential buyers compare the offering here with a scan of one from the major museum collections, and form your own opinion. I think that most people will be really impressed by the exactness of the work, and the way in which it retains both the technical skill and the creativity of the original masterpiece. You can compare it with online examples from the world's leading museums. ***MARKETWATCH*** See my final photo for another seller's price on this lovely item.
Price: 48 GBP
Location: Wadhurst
End Time: 2025-01-02T22:42:26.000Z
Shipping Cost: 14.47 GBP
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 14 days
Artist: Amand Durand, Lucas Van Leyden
Originality: Original
Signed By: Lucas Van Leyden
Image Orientation: Portrait
Size: Small
Signed: Yes
Date of Creation: Antique (Pre-1900)
Title: St. George liberates the princess
Material: Paper
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Print Surface: Paper
Subject: Legend/myth
Colour: Black
Type: Print
Medium: Heliogravure
Style: Realism
Production Technique: Heliogravure
Time Period Produced: 1850-1899
