Félicien Rops, The Sphinx, 1880s, Etching

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Soft-ground etching on heavy paper. Image dimension 28x18. Signed in brown ink at the bottom right. Collector's notes in pencil … Read more Soft-ground etching on heavy paper. Image dimension 28x18. Signed in brown ink at the bottom right. Collector's notes in pencil on the mat. Work created as frontispiece for a collection of Symbolist poems by Paul Verlaine. Also known by the title "Parallélisme". This piece holds a significant place in Decadent and literary art history. The Frontispiece for Les Diaboliques: This print was specifically designed to serve as the frontispiece for the celebrated 1882 edition of the short story collection Les Diaboliques (The She-Devils) by French author Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly. The Ultimate Femme Fatale: In the 19th-century Symbolist movement, the sphinx was the ultimate archetype for the femme fatale. By combining alluring human beauty with dangerous animal traits, Rops visually conceptualized the themes of the book: mysterious, seductive, and dangerous women who lead men into ruin One of Rops' moste celebrated engravings, in an excellent proof hand signed by the artist. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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