Armand Point, Légende Dorée, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

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Description

Armand point (1860-1932)

légende dorée
(golden legend)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #5 (september 1897)

on … Read more Armand point (1860-1932)

légende dorée
(golden legend)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #5 (september 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed on the plate "a point 1897", lower left

blind stamp of the publisher, top right

excellent condition: minor signs of age and handling
full margins (not cropped, not trimmed)
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about the collection (l'estampe moderne)

l'estampe moderne appeared in 1897-1899 as a series of 24 monthly fascicles, each containing 4 original lithographs, printed by parisian imprimerie champenois. Many accomplished european art nouveau painters contributed works to this publication, which contained only original prints invented and produced especially for this collection. The publication was edited by charles masson and h. Piazza. Each issue came in a paper cover bearing an original lithograph by alphonse mucha.
each lithograph was accompanied by a tissue containing the details (title of the artwork, name of the artist, etc.) and a short text by a well-known author who inspired the artist.
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the artist

armand point was a pivotal figure in the french symbolist movement, known for his rejection of modern industrialism in favor of a return to the craftsmanship of the middle ages and the renaissance. Influenced by the pre-raphaelites and the writings of john ruskin, point founded an artistic community called haute-claire in 1896. This "school" aimed to revive decorative arts, producing everything from enamelware and jewelry to furniture, all executed with meticulous traditional techniques.
his painting style is characterised by an idealised, almost mystical beauty, often featuring ethereal female figures in timeless, mythical settings. His work is heavily inspired by the italian masters, particularly botticelli and leonardo da vinci, which is evident in his precise line work and luminous, translucent glazes. As a regular exhibitor at the salon de la rose+croix, point’s art sought to transcend reality, offering a nostalgic and spiritual vision that celebrated the "golden legend" of a lost, artisanal past.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

"la légende dorée, ce recueil pieux des légendes de la vie des saints, qui eut tant de vogue au moyen age, donne son nom à la symbolique composition exécutée pour nous par armand point avec son talent si personnel.
dans un jardin où le parfum des roses se mêle à celui des orangers en fleurs, deux jeunes femmes, parées selon la mode florentine des siècles passés, se sont assises pour lire le vieux livre enluminé dont les sublimes histoires de vierges et d'ascètes emplissent l'âme d'une inquiète rêverie.
la paupière baissée, la lèvre entr'ouverte, l'une, dont la chevelure tressée s'orne de bijoux précieusement orfévrés, évoque sur le parchemin jauni les renoncements héroïques des saints et des saintes, tandis que sa compagne, parée de riches brocatelles passementées d'or, et tenant de sa main longue et fine une fleur symbolique, écoute, extasiée.
au loin, par delà les peupliers et les tilleuls, au pied des monts où vécurent peut-être françois d'assise ou catherine de sienne, des galères passent sur un lac bleu, et l'on croit entendre sur le sable d'or de la grève le flot égrener doucement sa chanson berceuse."

english translation:

the golden legend, that pious collection of legends of the lives of the saints which was so popular in the middle ages, gives its name to the symbolic composition created for us by armand point with his highly personal talent.
in a garden where the scent of roses mingles with that of flowering orange trees, two young women, adorned according to the florentine fashion of past centuries, have sat down to read the old illuminated book whose sublime stories of virgins and ascetics fill the soul with a restless reverie.
with lowered eyelids and lips half-open, one woman—whose braided hair is adorned with exquisitely crafted jewels—evokes from the yellowed parchment the heroic renunciations of the male and female saints; meanwhile, her companion—dressed in rich brocades trimmed with gold and holding a symbolic flower in her long, slender hand—listens, entranced.
in the distance, beyond the poplars and the lime trees, at the foot of the mountains where perhaps francis of assisi or catherine of siena once lived, galleys pass upon a blue lake, and one imagines hearing the waves softly murmuring their lullaby upon the golden sand of the shore.
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important:

. The listing is for the original print, in the above mentioned excellent condition.
. The original tissue paper introduction will be given to the buyer as a gift
. The cover by mucha and the edition (back of the cover) are shown as a reference and proof of authenticity and edition this piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less