Louis-Auguste Girardot, Femme du Riff, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

Details

Description

Louis-auguste girardot (1856-1933)

femme du riff (woman of the rif)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #1 … Read more Louis-auguste girardot (1856-1933)

femme du riff (woman of the rif)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #1 (may 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed on the plate "l. A. Girardot 1897", upper right

blind stamp of the publisher, lower right

great 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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about the artist

louis-auguste girardot (1856–1933) was a prominent french orientalist painter and lithographer whose work captures the luminous landscapes and daily rhythms of north africa. Born in loulans-les-forges, he studied at the école des beaux-arts in paris under the mentorship of the celebrated master jean-léon gérôme.
a pivotal turning point in his career occurred in 1887 when he received a travel grant to spain, algeria, and morocco. These journeys, particularly his time in tangier and tétouan, deeply influenced his palette and subject matter. He became renowned for his sensitive depictions of moroccan women—such as his famous lithograph femme du rif—and vibrant market scenes. His contributions to the art world earned him a silver medal at the universal exhibition of 1900 and the prestigious title of knight of the legion of honor.
today, his works are preserved in several major institutions, including the musée d’orsay (paris), the museum of modern art (new york), the museums of fine arts introyes, reims and marseille, and the musée national des beaux-arts in algiers.
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from the text on the tissue paper (by muslim writer si hamza):

"au riff, lorsque la femme sent sa chair tressaillir, elle fait venir une gazelle du pays des grandes dunes. Alors elle baise les yeux de l'animal pour que ceux de son enfant aient plus tard leur mélancolique éclat. Puis, du bout du doigt ayant effleuré les dents d'ivoire de la gazelle, elle porte la main à sa bouche pour que les dents de son fils aient la blancheur du riz. Voilà pourquoi les filles de nos tribus sont plus belles que l'anémone"

english translation:

in the rif, when a woman feels her flesh quiver, she sends for a gazelle from the land of the great dunes. Then, she kisses the animal's eyes so that those of her child might later possess their melancholy radiance. Next, having brushed the gazelle's ivory teeth with her fingertip, she brings her hand to her own mouth so that her son’s teeth will have the whiteness of rice. This is why the daughters of our tribes are more beautiful than the anemone.
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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