Henri Meunier, L'Heure du Silence, 1897, Lithograph on Paper

Details

Description

Henri meunier (1873-1922)

l'heure du silence

original lithograph from the glorious portfolio "l'estampe moderne", issue #7 (november 1897)
… Read more Henri meunier (1873-1922)

l'heure du silence

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 "henri meunier 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

henri meunier was a leading figure of the belgian belle époque, renowned for his masterful posters and graphic designs that elevated commercial art to the level of fine art. While he shared the stage with contemporaries like privat-livemont, meunier’s style was notably more sober and powerful. He moved away from the intricate, floral excesses of typical art nouveau, favoring instead the "style de la ligne"—a method defined by thick, bold outlines and large areas of flat, saturated color.

his work is characterized by a remarkable sense of synthesis and simplified form, often drawing inspiration from japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). Meunier had a unique ability to capture atmospheric light—particularly sunsets or stormy skies—using a limited but striking palette. Whether designing an advertisement for tobacco or a magazine cover, his compositions remained elegant and monumental, balancing a modern, graphic sensibility with a profound, almost contemplative, beauty.
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from the text on the tissue paper:

ce n'est ni la nuit ni le jour;
ce n'est ni le soir ni l'aurore.
— c'est l'heure confuse où l'amour
grandit dans le cœur qui s'ignore.
ce n'est le bonjour ni l'adieu,
ni le regret, ni l'espérance.
- c'est le voile au fond du ciel bleu,
cachant la joie ou la souffrance.
ce n'est ni l'être ni la mort;
ce n'est le combat ni la trève.
— c'est le vague où l'âme s'endort
sous les ailes blanches du rêve!

a. Silvestre
(les aurores lointaines.)

english translation:

it is neither night nor day;
it is neither evening nor dawn.
—it is the blurred hour when love
grows in the heart that knows it not.

it is neither hello nor goodbye,
neither regret nor hope.
—it is the veil in the deep blue sky,
hiding joy or suffering.

it is neither being nor death;
it is neither combat nor truce.
—it is the haze where the soul falls asleep
beneath the white wings of a dream!

— a. Silvestre
(the distant dawns)
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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