Franz M. Melchers, Phalène des Îles de la Mer, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

Details

Description

Franz m. Melchers (1868-1944)

phalène des îles de la mer
(moth of the sea islands)

original lithograph from … Read more Franz m. Melchers (1868-1944)

phalène des îles de la mer
(moth of the sea islands)

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 "f m 97", 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

franz m. Melchers was a distinguished painter and graphic artist of the symbolist movement, born in germany but deeply associated with the belgian art scene. His style is a captivating blend of melancholy and decorative precision, often influenced by the flat perspectives and bold outlines of japanese woodcuts. This japonisme allowed him to simplify his compositions into poetic arrangements of color and line, a technique he frequently applied to his contributions for l'estampe moderne.

melchers was a master of atmosphere, favoring quiet, introspective subjects such as interiors, mystical landscapes, and ethereal female figures. His work often evokes a sense of stillness and mystery, using a soft, muted palette to convey deep emotional resonance. By balancing the decorative requirements of art nouveau with the spiritual depth of symbolism, melchers created a body of work that feels both modern and timeless, securing his place as a vital figure in the late 19th-century european avant-garde.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

sur un seuil de cité de fête et de féerie,
avec son front chargé de lourde orfèvrerie,
avec sa coiffe blanche aux ailes de zélande,
ouvrant avec ses yeux son âme toute grande
a ce prodige frais encore d'être née
pour enchaîner à sa grâce la destinée, -
comme au delà des lieux, comme au delà des heures,
dans le faste enfantin et riant des demeures
où la joie et la paix ont caché leur patrie, -
c'est une qui attend sur un seuil de la vie,
dans l'attitude des solennelles vigiles,
une jeune, une très jeune fille des iles
de la mer, une jeune, une très jeune fille.

dans ses yeux profonds la candeur du désir brille,
et ses mains faites pour le sceptre et pour la palme,
par leur geste croisé, mystique, harmonieux, calme,
attestent les amours loyales et fidèles.

mais frissonne le vent du large dans les ailes,
dans les ailes de la coiffe blanche: autour d'elles,
sur les pignons, les clochetons et les tourelles,
et sur les jardins verts, et sur les maisons roses,
je devine le jeu menaçant de moroses,
ombres : il pleut sur la mer et dans ma pensée
- et ce n'est pas à moi que tu ris, fiancée ! -

le vent des fins d'été dans tes ailes frissonne.

o de tous seule aimée et donnée à personne,
ne vois-tu pas devers les iles inconnues
t'envoler, t'effacer, blanche comme les nues
et laissant des reflets de neige sur nos brumes?
o jeune fille, ô sœur de celle que nous fûmes,
jeunesse, aux jours anxieux de grâce et de tendresse,
jeunesse, fiancée, idéale, jeunesse!
charles morice

english translation:

upon a threshold of a city of celebration and enchantment,
with her brow laden with heavy goldsmith’s work,
with her white headdress with zeeland wings,
opening wide her very soul with her eyes
to this fresh miracle of having just been born
to bind destiny to her grace,—
as if beyond place, as if beyond hours,
in the childlike and laughing splendor of dwellings
where joy and peace have hidden their homeland,—
it is one who waits on a threshold of life,
in the posture of solemn vigils,
a young, a very young girl of the islands
of the sea, a young, a very young girl.

in her deep eyes, the candor of desire shines,
and her hands, made for the scepter and for the palm,
by their crossed, mystic, harmonious, calm gesture,
attest to loyal and faithful loves.

but the wind from the open sea shivers in the wings,
in the wings of the white headdress: around them,
upon the gables, the pinnacles, and the turrets,
and over the green gardens, and over the pink houses,
i sense the menacing play of morose
shadows: it rains upon the sea and within my thought
—and it is not at me that you smile, fiancée!—

the wind of summer’s end shivers in your wings.

o alone loved by all and given to no one,
do you not see yourself toward the unknown islands
flying away, fading, white as the clouds
and leaving reflections of snow upon our mists?
o young girl, o sister of the one we once were,
youth, in the anxious days of grace and tenderness,
youth, fiancée, ideal, youth!
charles morice
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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