Armand Rassenfosse, Dance, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

Details

Description

Armand rassenfosse (1862-1934)

danse
(dance)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #6 (october 1897)

on wove … Read more Armand rassenfosse (1862-1934)

danse
(dance)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #6 (october 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed on the plate with monogram, lower right

blind stamp of the publisher, lower 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 rassenfosse was a preeminent belgian painter and graphic artist, whose work is synonymous with the refined sensuality and technical innovation of the fin de siècle. Largely self-taught, he formed a legendary artistic partnership with félicien rops, with whom he developed "ropsenfosse," a unique soft-ground etching process. While rops leaned toward the provocative, rassenfosse cultivated a more intimate, poetic aesthetic, focusing predominantly on the female form.

his style is defined by a masterly use of line and a delicate, warm palette, often favoring oil on paper or cardboard to achieve a velvety texture. He excelled at capturing women in private, unposed moments—bathing, dressing, or in quiet contemplation—elevating these everyday scenes with a sense of dignity and modern grace. As a premier illustrator, notably for baudelaire’s les fleurs du mal, rassenfosse blended symbolist depth with art nouveau fluidity, securing his place as a master of belgian printmaking and a chronicler of feminine intimacy.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

"les cheveux noués d'un lien de fleurs,
une ionienne aux belles couleurs
danse sur la mousse au son des kithares\.
leconte de lisle
(poèmes antiques)
aux appels langoureux des flûtes et des cithares invisibles, la danseuse balance, sur, un rythme d'abord très lent, son torse presque nu, admirablement cambré sur les hanches voluptueuses. Puis bientôt la cadence s'accentue et, dans l'envolement des tissus légers, transparaît par éclairs la chair rose et nacrée. Les cheveux dénoués se répandent en ondes sur la blancheur des épaules, et on croirait voir une bacchante effeuillant des violettes et des roses en l'honneur de dionysos."

english translation:

with hair bound by a ribbon of flowers,
an ionian girl of beautiful hues
dances on the moss to the sound of kitharas\.
— leconte de lisle
(poèmes antiques)

to the languorous calls of invisible flutes and citharas, the dancer sways her nearly nude torso—admirably arched above voluptuous hips—to a rhythm that is at first very slow. Soon, however, the cadence quickens, and amidst the flight of light fabrics, flashes of rosy, pearlescent flesh appear. Her loosened hair spreads in waves across the whiteness of her shoulders, and one might imagine a bacchante scattering the petals of violets and roses in honour of dionysos.
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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