Flotille de Pęche. The Fishing Fleet by Theodore Van Rysselberghe, 1862-1926

Theodore Van Rysselberghe, 1862-1926
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Flotille de Pęche. The Fishing Fleet

Original etching with aquatint in brown/black ink. c.1894. Signed by Van Rysselberghe with his monogram in red crayon. Inscribed by him as 'épreuve d'essai no 1' - trial proof no1. The first trial proof before the edition of 100 impressions. Edition issued in 1894 by L'Estampe Originale, 1894.
Ref: Stein and Karshan - L'Estampe Originale no 77

Extremely beautiful and rich trial proof impression. On tones laid paper, as subsequently issued. Generally excellent condition; one ink fleck lower left margin. Full small margins, as printed. Plate: 8 7/8 x 11ins (227x281mm).

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The rhythmic repetition of the forms and the pattern of the lines of the drawing, on a typical marine theme, seem to draw the viewer inevitably into this composition, to engulf the viewer?s mind. It is this characteristic of the absorbing poetry and emotion - the combination of symbolism and pictorial observation - which make Van Rysselberghe?s work so unusual. Flotille de Peche is probably his most famous print in etching. It was drawn for L?Estampe Originale, the portfolio of artist?s prints published by Andre Marty in Paris in 1894/95 which was one of the key elements in the re-establishment of the reputation of artists? printmaking at the end of the 19th century. However this impression is the unique first trial proof before that edition, delicately hand-printed and annotated by the artist.

Van Rysselberghe was one of the central figures in the founding of the Cercle des XX, the art society in Brussels formed in 1884 to encourage an avant-garde and experimental attitude to painting. The society had very close links with Parisian art, and Van Rysselberghe spent much of his time in Paris in close contact with the Nabis painters - Bonnard, Vuillard, Denis - with the ideas of Gauguin, and with Redon and the Symbolist movement. He also became a close friend of Signac and adopted many of his ideas of Pointillist colour handling. His art brings together many of these influences and links them to his own personal sense of poetic emotion.

Van Rysselberghe made only ten lithographs and twenty-eight etchings, and only some of these in his important early period before 1905. Mostly only printed in small editions fine examples of his prints are now very rarely to be found.