Richard Ranft, L'Écuyère, Lithograph on Paper

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Richard ranft (1862-1931)

l'écuyère
(the equestrienne)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #12 (april 1898)
… Read more Richard ranft (1862-1931)

l'écuyère
(the equestrienne)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #12 (april 1898)

on wove paper

year: 1898

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed in the plate "richard ranft", 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

richard ranft was a swiss-born painter, engraver, and lithographer who became a vital figure in the parisian avant-garde during the belle époque. A pupil of the realist gustave courbet, ranft eventually moved toward a style that synthesized the atmospheric light of impressionism with the structural elegance of art nouveau. He is perhaps best known for his mastery of color etching and aquatint, techniques he used to capture the fleeting rhythms of modern life.

his subject matter was quintessentially "fin de siècle," ranging from tranquil landscapes and sun-drenched gardens to the dynamic world of the circus and the theater. His depictions of l’écuyère (the equestrienne) are particularly celebrated, capturing the grace and motion of the performer with a vibrant, rhythmic line. Ranft’s work is characterized by a sophisticated sense of color and a poetic, almost musical quality. As a member of the société nationale des beaux-arts, he remained a dedicated chronicler of his era’s elegance and energy.

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from the text on the tissue paper:

il semble qu'au cirque la vertu des femmes soit en proportion inverse de la longu eur de leurs jupes : l'amazone est suspecte, le cotillon de mousseline voltige au-dessus des cancans et de la médisance.
mariée très jeune à un artiste de cirque, l'écuyère est généralement une ména gère excellente, une épouse modèle. Avec lui, elle se démet, elle se casse bravement bras et jambes. Son éducation de cirque est complète. On l'a mise à cheval à six ans. En dehors de son travail debout, on lui a enseigné la mimique, le fil de fer, la jonglerie, la gymnastique. Mais, entre toutes les études nécessaires à l'instruction d'une écuyère, il en est une fondamentale: c'est la danse. L'écuyère fait toutes ses classes de danseuse comme un sujet d'opéra.
hugues le roux
(les jeux du cirque)

english translation:

it seems that in the circus, the virtue of women is in inverse proportion to the length of their skirts: the horsewoman in a riding habit is suspect, while the muslin petticoat flutters far above gossip and slander.
married very young to a circus artist, the equestrienne is generally an excellent housekeeper and a model wife. Alongside him, she bravely dislocates or breaks her arms and legs. Her circus education is complete. She was placed on a horse at the age of six. Besides her "standing" work, she has been taught mimicry, the tightrope, juggling, and gymnastics. But, among all the studies necessary for the instruction of an equestrienne, there is one that is fundamental: dance. The equestrienne completes all her dance training just like a performer at the opera.
h. Le roux
(the games of the circus)
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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