L'Estampe Moderne 1897 Original Fine Art Stone Lithograph – Edition of 2000 – "Invocation à la Madone d’onyx vert" (Invocation to the Madonna of green onyx) by Marcel Lenoir, Signed in the Stone


Antique original 1897 multi-color stone lithograph – Not a copy or a modern reprint

Marcel-Lenoir’s highly stylized Symbolist works came before the turn of the 20th century. He participated in the Salons de Rose-Croix, which began in 1892. This group of artists used Catholic symbolism and symbols from the occult in their paintings. The Salons de la Rose-Croix were conceived and presented by Péladan as gestes esthétiques, it was to be synthesis of the visual arts, literature and music. He also produced beautiful lithographs including this one published by l’Estampe Moderne.    

L’Estampe Moderne (Modern Print):

 

was a French monthly publication published between May 1897 and April 1899, which proposed 4 original lithographs in each of its issues.

 

The aim was to promote the art of printmaking by commissioning images from noted Art Nouveau artists, such as Alphonse Mucha, Louis Rhead, Marcel-Lenoir, Henri Boutet, Henri Fantin-Latour, Edward Burne-Jones and Théophile Steinlen.

 

On the introductory prospectus, the first issue is announced at the price of 3.50 francs, for 4 unpublished prints in color, which puts the engraving at less than one franc piece.

 

The annual subscription was 40 francs and the subscriber received two "premium plates" (the first was designed by Alfons Mucha). The first four plates are: Women of Riff of Girardot, Merchant laces of Malteste, Fall of Ménard and Corinne of Réalier-Dumas.

 

Each engraving was presented in a portfolio folder on which print references were printed and a generally poetic text related to the motif. On each print, unsigned by hand, however, was affixed a colorless dry stamp of authentication representing a head disheveled child. The dimensions are 26.6 cm x 33.4 cm and the paper is a vellum.

 

The circulation was 2,000 copies in current edition and 150 copies on Japan.

 

There were a total of 24 issues, or 96 plates, not including the 6 "premium" plates for subscribers.

 

– These prints are much sought after in the current art world. –