Hans Christiansen, L'Heure du Berger, Nude, 1898, Lithograph on Paper

Details

Description

Hans christiansen (1866-1945)

l'heure du berger
(the shepherd's hour, i.e. The twilight hour)

original lithograph from the glorious … Read more Hans christiansen (1866-1945)

l'heure du berger
(the shepherd's hour, i.e. The twilight hour)

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #11 (march 1898)

on wove paper

year: 1898

size (sheet): 405 x 305 mm

signed in the plate "hans christiansen", 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

hans christiansen was a pivotal figure in the german jugendstil movement, whose versatile talents helped define the aesthetic of the turn of the century. Born in flensburg, he began his career as a decorative painter before moving to paris in 1895. There, he was deeply influenced by the flowing lines of art nouveau and the vibrant color palettes of the nabis. His work bridged the gap between fine art and functional design, encompassing everything from painting and architecture to glasswork and fashion.

in 1899, he became one of the original seven members of the darmstadt artists' colony on the mathildenhöhe, a center for experimental modernism. Christiansen believed in the "total work of art" (gesamtkunstwerk), designing entire environments where every detail—from the stained glass to the wallpaper—harmonized.

his depictions of women subjects are particularly noteworthy, often featuring them as ethereal, stylized figures integrated into decorative motifs. These women were frequently portrayed with a sense of vibrant, modern energy, characterized by bold contours and saturated colors that stood out against the more muted tones of his contemporaries. His cover illustrations for the magazine jugend became iconic, showcasing his ability to blend feminine elegance with the graphic power of the new century’s burgeoning design language.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

la lune est rouge au brumeux horizon;
dans un brouillard qui danse, la prairie
s'endort fumeuse et la grenouille crie
par les joncs verts où circule un frisson;

les fleurs des eaux referment leurs corolles;
des peupliers profilent aux lointains,
droits et serrés, leurs spectres incertains;
vers les buissons errent les lucioles;

les chats-huants s'éveillent, et sans bruit
rament l'air noir avec leurs ailes lourdes,
et le zénith s'emplit de lueurs sourdes.
blanche, vénus émerge, et c'est la nuit.

paul verlaine

english translation:

the moon is red on the misty horizon;
within a dancing fog, the meadow
falls asleep smoky, and the frog cries
through the green reeds where a shiver stirs;

the water flowers close their corollas;
poplars outline in the distance,
straight and close-set, their uncertain specters;
toward the bushes wander the fireflies;

the screech-owls awaken, and noiselessly
row through the black air with their heavy wings,
and the zenith fills with muffled glimmers.
white, venus emerges, and it is night.

paul verlaine

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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