Raphaël Drouart, Before the Sea, Nude, 1920s, Etching

Details

Description

Raphaël Drouart (1884 1972)

Devant la Mer
(Before the Sea)

Original Etching on Paper
1920s

Size (overall): 258 x 328 … Read more Raphaël Drouart (1884 1972)

Devant la Mer
(Before the Sea)

Original Etching on Paper
1920s

Size (overall): 258 x 328 mm
Size (image): 160 x 198 mm
Numbered 28/60, lower left
Hand Signed, lower right

Edition of 60

On the bottom, hand titled: "Devant la mer"

Provenance
Collection Jacques Rodrigues-Henriquès

Literature
Published in:
Thierry Lefrançois, "Raphaël Drouart : 1884-1972 : catalogue complet de son oeuvre gravé", La Rochelle, Musée des Beaux-Arts, 1990

Excellent Condition:
The central etched plate mark is crisp, and the ink impression of the figure and background is dark, rich, and clear with no smudging or fading
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The Artist

Maurice Raphaël Drouart (1884-1972), was a versatile French painter, printmaker, and illustrator whose career bridged classical artistic training and the modernist movements of the early twentieth century. He initially studied painting under Fernand Cormon and engaged closely with the Nabis, notably working as an assistant to Maurice Denis on the ceiling of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Drouart’s artistic trajectory was interrupted by the First World War, during which he spent over three years as a prisoner of war in Germany. Following his return, he mastered various printmaking techniques, eventually exhibiting his woodcuts, etchings, and lithographs widely. Throughout the 1920s, he gained renown as a book and art illustrator, collaborating with publishers like Arthur Goldscheider and participating in the landmark 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Appointed a knight of the Legion of Honour in 1938, Drouart passed away in 1972.
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The Collector

Jacques Rodrigues-Henriquès (1886–1968) was a prominent French art dealer and expert who operated a gallery on Rue Bonaparte and managed the artistic legacy of his stepfather, Félix Vallotton. Positioned within the powerful Bernheim-Jeune family and collaborating with critic Félix Fénéon, he shaped the European market for early 20th-century modern art by exhibiting works from major figures like Pierre Bonnard, Paul Signac, Georges Seurat, and Maximilien Luce.
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The Artwork

This exquisite print, Devant la mer, offers a captivating visual celebration of male beauty, male bonding, and timeless sensuality. Set on a secluded beach, Raphaël Drouart beautifully captures the physical and emotional harmony between men in a state of pure, natural freedom.In the foreground, the composition focuses on the intimate companionship of three young men. Their relaxed, lounging poses showcase soft contours, elegant musculature, and a distinct air of quiet contemplation. One figure, standing and leaning against a rock, stretches his body gracefully, adding a dynamic yet sensual rhythm to the scene. In the background, the mood shifts to playful and carefree camaraderie as other nude men joyfully wade into the surf.Historically, this print sits perfectly alongside the homoerotic undercurrents found in the bathers of the Nabis and post-impressionist movements. It heavily evokes the idyllic, all-male coastal scenes of Henry Scott Tuke or the classical, rhythmic sensuality of Jean Delville. Rather than focusing on flat tones, Drouart uses a velvety, intricate web of etching lines that bathes the male forms in a warm, atmospheric light, making it a sophisticated, deeply evocative piece for discerning collectors. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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