May 08, 2018 - Sale 2477

Sale 2477 - Lot 244

Price Realized: $ 2,600
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
JEAN-FRANÇOIS MILLET (after)
La Grande Bergère assise.

Woodcut printed in brownish black on cream laid Japan paper, circa 1865. 272x217 mm; 10 3/4x8 1/2 inches, full margins. Second state (of 2), with the sky delineated. Ex-collection Alfred Elias, according to an inscription in pencil lower margin. A very good impression of this extremely wscarce woodcut.

According to Melot, Millet (1814-1875) created the design for this woodcut and the block was cut by the artist's brother, the painter Jean-Baptiste Millet. The work was likely included in Delteil's catalogue raisonné since he believed that Millet made the drawing directly on the block, which his brother later cut.

We have found only 9 other impressions at auction in the past 30 years. Melot cites 5 other impressions in public institutions, including another proof on Japan paper (like the current work) at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Delteil 33; Melot 33.