Les Deux Amis. The Two Friends by James J. J. Tissot, 1836-1902

James J. J. Tissot, 1836-1902
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Les Deux Amis. The Two Friends

Original etching with drypoint in black ink, the decorative flags at the foot coloured in watercolour by hand. 1881/82. Signed and dated 1881 in the plate. One of the special impressions with coloured flags from the total edition of c. 200 impressions. Printed at the studio of Goulding in London. First sold by Tissot in 1882.
Ref: Wentworth - Tissot Etchings no 55.

Extremely fine rich impression with plate tone. On cream laid Hollande-type paper. Excellent condition; the slightest traces of old mounting on the reverse only. Full margins. Sheet: 27 7/8 x 16 3/8ins. Plate: 23 1/4 x 10 1/8ins (590x257mm).

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The Two Friends - Les Deux Amis - is one of the outstanding narrative etchings in Tissot?s oeuvre. This is one of the rare impressions with the flags of Britain and America coloured in water-colour by hand.

Etched in 1881 Tissot was at this date seeking to establish his position as an artist not only of subjects of romantic sentiment but also of paintings with a more serious narrative theme. At this time the question of possible emigration to the New World was one which was affecting the lives of many young British men who saw new opportunities away from the controls and prejudices of Victorian society. At the same time in this very large scale work, one of the biggest formats in his etched oeuvre, Tissot demonstrated his real inspiration as an etcher and as an artist.

The complex treatment of the composition, with the groups of the figures, the shapes of the vessel, the dramatic lines of the rigging and above all the posing of the main figures as they shake hands in farewell at an angle across the deliberately tall narrow format of the image, show Tissot?s ability to instil emotion and atmosphere into his work through pictorial arrangement. Alongside this the actual handling of the etching is a tour-de force. The rich variation in stroke and touch, the changes in shading and line emphasis, and the intermingling of tiny touches of the etching needle with bold sweeping lines create a picture surface which is vibrantly alive with light and atmosphere.

Fine impressions of The Two Friends have become very rare on the market.