Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, Belle d'Antan, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

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Description

Lucien lévy-dhurmer (1865-1953)

belle d'antan
(beauty of yesteryear)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #8 … Read more Lucien lévy-dhurmer (1865-1953)

belle d'antan
(beauty of yesteryear)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #8 (december 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed in the plate "l. Lévy-dhurmer", 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

lucien lévy-dhurmer was a titan of french symbolism, moving through the late 19th and early 20th centuries with a style that felt both ethereal and intensely tactile. He was a master of pastel, a medium he used to create hazy, dreamlike portraits and landscapes that seemed to dissolve into their own atmosphere. His work often sought to capture the "soul" of a subject rather than just a physical likeness, aligning him with the symbolist obsession with interiority and myth.

beyond the canvas, lévy-dhurmer was a versatile force in art nouveau. He famously designed the hôtel d'anjou interiors, demonstrating his ability to weave together ceramics, furniture, and architecture into a cohesive "total work of art." his travels through italy and north africa further enriched his palette, adding a luminous, mediterranean warmth to his later compositions. He remains a pivotal figure for those who appreciate art that whispers rather than shouts.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

\. Si elle n'estoit point tout à fait une belle personne, sa gentillesse l'avoit approchée tout auprès. Un teint de brune clair, vif et net, les cheveux du plus beau noir, les plus beaux yeux du monde et qui d'ailleurs estoient tout ce qu'elle vouloit qu'ils fussent, selon les occasions. Un nez fin et noble au plus joly et dans lequel il se passoit certain petit jeu imperceptible qui animoit sa physionomie et indiquoit, ce semble, la finesse des mouvements qui se passoient au dedans d'elle à mesure qu'elle parloit ou qu'elle écoutoit\.
bachaumont

english translation:

even if she were not quite a perfect beauty, her grace brought her very close to it. She possessed a clear, vivid, and bright brunette complexion, hair of the most beautiful black, and the finest eyes in the world—which, moreover, could be whatever she wished them to be, depending on the occasion. Her nose was fine and noble in the prettiest way, characterized by a certain subtle, imperceptible play that animated her features. This movement seemed to indicate the refinement of the thoughts passing within her as she spoke or listened.
bachaumont
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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