Marcel Lenoir, Invocation à la Madone d'Onyx Verte, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

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Description

Marcel lenoir (1872-1931)

invocation à la madone d'onyx verte
(invocation to the green onyx madonna)

original lithograph from the glorious … Read more Marcel lenoir (1872-1931)

invocation à la madone d'onyx verte
(invocation to the green onyx madonna)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #3 (july 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed on the plate "marcel lenoir", lower right

blind stamp of the publisher, lower right

excellent condition: minor signs of age and handling
full margins (not cropped, not trimmed)

this lithograph is in the collection of several important museums, including the museum of modern art (moma) in new york. See link:
https://www.moma.org/collection/works/67343?artist_id=6663&page=1&sov_referrer=artist

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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

marcel lenoir (1872–1931) was a fiercely independent figure in the french symbolist movement, known for his mystical and religious intensity. His style was a unique synthesis of italian renaissance influences—specifically the frescoes of giotto and mantegna—and the fluid, decorative lines of art nouveau. Lenoir rejected the commercialism of the parisian art scene, often seeking a "primitive" purity in his work. His compositions are characterized by a monumental quality, featuring statuesque figures, bold contours, and a rich, often somber color palette.
lenoir was a master of various media, including lithography and fresco, which he used to explore themes of spiritual longing and medieval idealism. His fascination with the divine is best captured in works like the monster and his various depictions of the madonna.
his works are preserved in significant collections, including: musée d’orsay, paris; musée des beaux-arts, toulouse; the metropolitan museum of art, new york; musée marcel-lenoir (montricoux), dedicated to his legacy; the victoria and albert museum, london.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

"exprimer, dans un visage mystique aux yeux volontairement allongés comme ceux des déesses égyptiennes, la foi intérieure qui anime une prière de femme, dégager, par le dessin des mains longues et fines et l'arrangement des cheveux, le sentiment de pureté du cœur et de jeunesse, affirmé encore par les moindres détails décoratifs du vêtement, des parures et du fond de la compo-sition, en un mot placer dans une ambiance spéciale où tout concourt à l'effet désiré le sujet qu'il a rêvé, telle est l'invocation qu'a composée pour nous le curieux et original enlumineur marcel lenoir."

english translation:

to express, in a mystical face with eyes intentionally elongated like those of egyptian goddesses, the inner faith that animates a woman's prayer; to evoke, through the drawing of long, slender hands and the arrangement of the hair, a feeling of purity of heart and youth—affirmed further by the smallest decorative details of the garment, the ornaments, and the background of the composition; in a word, to place the subject he dreamed of in a special ambiance where everything contributes to the desired effect: such is the invocation composed for us by the curious and original illuminator marcel lenoir.
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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