Louis Legrand (1863 - 1951)
Printmaker Louis Legrand was born in Dijon in 1863. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Dijon while working as a bank clerk and subsequently moved to Paris where he worked as a caricaturist and satirist for La Journee, Le Journal Amusant, and Courrier Francais. Two of his satirical drawings precipitated an obscenity lawsuit against Legrand, who was acquitted, convicted on appeal by the state, and sentenced for a brief term for refusing to pay the fine.
He subsequently met the Belgian artist Felicien Rops, who taught Legrand the etching process. He used these new skills to produce images based on the night life of Montmartre in all its flavors for various French journals with particular emphasis on dancers, both established and aspirant, Parisian café life, and the social scenes of the day. In addition, he illustrated a number of editions of novels by leading 19th century American and European authors. In 1906, Legrand was made a knight of the Légion d’Honneur, but died in obscurity in Livry-Gargan, France.
L'Annonciation
Etching and aquatint on Japan paper, 1894. Edition of 50. Image size 20-3/8” x 12-13/16”; sheet size 24¼” x 18¼”. A fine impression in very good overall condition, published by Gustave Pellet, with his stamp in the lower right-hand corner. The sheet is stained by tape adhesive at its edges, and there is minor rippling on three of the edges well away from the sight area. A beautiful, sensuous image. Arwas 108.
$925
Diane Chaseresse
Etching, aquatint, and drypoint, 1895; third of three states. Edition small but not enumerated. Image size 12½” x 5-11/16”; sheet size 18-5/16” x 12-1/8”. Pencil signed and titled in the lower margin. A fine impression in overall fine condition. Arwas 120.
$900
Fleur de Lit
Etching, aquatint and drypoint, 1896. Image size 6-5/8” x 10-1/8”; sheet size 12-1/16” x 18-3/8”. Signed in the plate and in pencil in the lower margin. A fine sixth state impression in overall near-fine condition, save for minor rippling at the upper and right-hand edges, well away from the sight area; number of proofs not stated. Arwas 134.
$750
Femme au Tub
Etching, 1912; edition of 30. Image size 8-15/16” x 7”; sheet size 12-1/8” x 17¼”. Signed in the plate and numbered 19/30 in the lower margin. Fine impression with minor toning in the sight area. Arwas 440.
$375
Le Tub
Drypoint on velin, 1909. Fourth state, edition of 65. Image size 5¾” x 8¼”; sheet size 11¾” x 15-15/16”. Signed in the plate and numbered 64/65 in pencil in the lower margin. A fine impression in very good overall condition, with a triangular loss at the upper right corner of the sheet, well away from the sight area. Arwas 376.
$475
Femmes de Chambre
Drypoint, 1910; second and final state. Edition of 30. Image size 4" x 6-7/16"; sheet size 12¼" x 17¼". Initialed in the plate, in very good overall condition, with faint toning in the sight area. No. 3 of the series Femmes Damnées. Arwas 408.
$425
Deux Eleves de Madame S...
Etching on Japan paper, 1908; edition of 100. Image size 11¼” x 14-7/8”; sheet size 15¾” x 21”. Published by Gustave Pellet, Paris. Signed by Legrand in the plate and in pencil in the lower margin. Numbered 67/100 in pencil. Stamp of Gustave Pellet (Lugt 1192) beneath plate mark. A fine impression, with wrinkling along the upper and right-hand edges of the sheet, well away from the sight area. Two closed tears (1”, ½”) in the right margin. Arwas 370.
$1,600
Pediculture (first state)
Drypoint on cream laid paper, 1908, with the artist’s watermark (a heraldic device above a Swan in flight atop “Louis Legrand” in script. The overall watermark design measures 4” x 4” and is mirrored in parallel columns and vertically spaced at about 12” intervals. Plate size 6¼” x 11-5/16”; Sheet size 12” x 17-3/16”. Signed by Legrand below the plate impression. Faintly toned in the sight area. Arwas 355.
Pediculture (third state)
Third State: Drypoint on cream laid paper, 1908. One of 30 proofs on velin with Pellet & Legrand watermark. Plate size 6-3/16” x 11-3/8”; sheet size 12-3/16” x 17-7/16”. Published by Gustave Pellet. The image includes a remarque depicting a ballerina resting at the barre. Signed by Legrand in the plate, and in pencil below the plate mark, numbered 7/30, with the stamp of Gustave Pellet (Lugt 1192). Faint toning in the sight area, else fine. Arwas 355.
This and the first state proof sold as a pair.
$1,200