Etching, roulette, bitten tone1861-62296x244mm[329x257mm]

Ref: Guérin 16 state v/v; Harris 12 state v/vii

With the address of Delâtre. A superb delicately inked proof on chine volant with narrow margins, almost certainly from the series of fourteen plates, Eaux-fortes par Edouard Manet, published privately by the artist in 1863 in what is believed to be an edition of only twenty-eight. Extremely rare in such a fine early impression. The sheet with minor defects, old hinges etc. but generally in excellent condition.

Jay Fisher in his excellent and most informative catalogue of the exhibition of Manet's prints organized and circulated by the International Exhibitions Foundation in 1985 and 1986 states that no set of the fourteen etchings has survived intact. He further points out that the finest impressions of Manet's prints are either from this set or are proofs printed on a similar chine volant which gave the delicate effects that Manet sought. He condemns much of the commercial printing of Manet's plates as heavy and over-inked.

£4500