Forty original watercolors for Lamartine’s L'Histoire des Girondins.
[Paris: Fume, ca. 1847].
Raffet, Auguste. Forty watercolors (39 portraits, 1 device with liberty cap), signed by the artist in lower right or left of each. 1 vols. 4to. Red janseniste morocco, with green morocco doublures with wide gilt dentelle borders, marbled flyleaves, a.e.g., by Capé. Finely rebacked, one lower flyleaf replaced, covers with some traces of staining, light foxing to a few watercolors Ray, France, pp. 185-187. Provenance: Ricardo Heredia y Livermore (ownership inscription on verso of front free endpaper); Chandé (vente 21 dec., 1867). Item #257629
Though not generally appreciated in his own time, Auguste Raffet (1804-1860) was later thought to be one of France’s great illustrators. “Beraldi made the startling assertion that Raffet’s was ‘the greatest name of the century in original prints,’ adding that this still isn’t enough to say. One of the greatest names of French art.’” — Ray, p. 183
The fine watercolors here form a veritable gallery of the French Revolution, and include portraits of Mirabeau; Danton; Charlotte Corday; Robespierre; Marie Antoinette; Marat; C. Desmoulin; St. Just; Talien; Grégoire; Barère, etc.
Price: $40,000.00 Free International Delivery
