The ninetenth-century Durand re-works of rare Old Master etchings and engravings using the process of heliogravure is well documented.
Unsigned - but often attributed to Mantegna. Some museums have changed the attribution to "Master of the E-series Tarocci", with a generally agreed location of Ferrara, Italy, and a date of late 15th century. One of a series of Renaissance "Tarot" prints, which are in many Museum print collections. Here, Rhetorica is personified as a female figure, seen full frontal, she wears a crown and holds a sword, while on either side of her two small genii blow trumpets.
Good condition. The platemark lines are clearly visible. A nice sharp impression with good detail and tonal contrast. Printed on "laid" paper which is age-toned.
Main image/platemark area measures 4.5 x 7.5 inches. Good margins beyond. Sheet measures 11 x 7.25 inches.
Charles Amand Durand (1831-1905) developed the process of heliogravure in the 1860s. It was revolutionary, and was much admired by Georges Duplessis (1834-1899), Curator of the Prints Department of the National Library in Paris. The two men decided to collaborate on a lengthy project to re-create some of the rarest Old Master prints in the French collection; Duplessis provided the originals, early states, and Durand used them to meticulously recreate them by heliogravure. The results were first published in two volumes by Duplessis under the auspices (and with the total involvement) of the French National Library. The works proved so popular that subsequent editions were printed in France in the period 1860-1885. This impression circa 1880.
There was a time when the print purists looked down on the work of Durand; but, as the supply of original items has virtually dried up, collectors have come to realise that Durand's re-creations are the closest most of us will ever come to owning a lifetime impression of these rare etchings. I suggest that potential buyers compare my offering here with a scan of one from the major museum collections, and form your own opinion. I think that most people will be really impressed by the exactness of the work, and the way in which it retains both the technical skill and the creativity of the original masterpiece. You can compare it with online examples from the world's leading museums.