Alphonse Lévy, Rabbi Elischa l'Auvengle, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

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Description

Alphonse lévy (1843-1918)

rabbi elischa l'auvengle

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #7 (november 1897)
… Read more Alphonse lévy (1843-1918)

rabbi elischa l'auvengle

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #7 (november 1897)

on wove paper

year: 1897

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed in the plate "alph levy", lower left

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

alphonse lévy, known by the pseudonym saïd, was a french painter and lithographer celebrated for his poignant and often humorous depictions of jewish life in alsace and algeria. Unlike many of his contemporaries who leaned toward exoticism or caricature, lévy approached his subjects with a deep, affectionate familiarity. He is best remembered for his meticulously observed scenes of domestic rituals, religious festivals, and the quiet, everyday dignity of the rural community.

his style is characterized by a soft, naturalistic touch and a masterful use of lithographic tones to create atmosphere. Lévy had a keen eye for "types"—the elderly scholar, the busy matriarch, or the local merchant—rendering them with a warmth that transformed ethnic observation into universal human portraits. Though he faced some initial criticism from those who feared his realism bordered on stereotype, lévy is now revered as a vital "visual historian" who captured a vanished world with immense soul and technical grace.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

"assis en un coin sombre d'un antique oratoire d'alger, le vieux rabbi elischa, que l'âge a rendu aveugle, mais dont l'ardente foi en jéhovah a grandi avec les approches de la mort, écoute placide et résigné les versets sacrés dont son disciple et ami lui fait la lecture.
il écoute, balançant son buste au rythme des saintes litanies, au récit des joies célestes réservées au sage; sa face blème s'irradie d'un sourire, et semble comme s'épanouir sous une rosée matinale. Rabbi elischa n'a-t-il pas été, sur cette terre, humble parmi les humbles, pieux parmi les pieux? sans doute la droite du seigneur lui est réservée.
son disciple, humble comme lui, pauvre comme lui, obéit à ces paroles de l'écriture : c'est se rendre deux fois digne de la vie éternelle que donner; la manne spirituelle à celui qui ne peut la recueillir.
alph. Lévy"

english translation:

seated in a dark corner of an ancient oratory in algiers, the old rabbi elischa—rendered blind by age, but whose ardent faith in jehovah has grown as death draws near—listens, placid and resigned, to the sacred verses his disciple and friend reads to him.
he listens, swaying his torso to the rhythm of the holy litanies, to the account of the celestial joys reserved for the wise; his pale face is irradiated by a smile and seems to bloom as if under a morning dew.
has rabbi elischa not been, on this earth, humble among the humble, pious among the pious? without a doubt, the right hand of the lord is reserved for him.
his disciple, humble like him, poor like him, obeys these words of scripture: "to give spiritual manna to one who cannot gather it is to make oneself twice worthy of eternal life.
alph. Lévy
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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