Fine Art Etching - Jardin des Tuileries by French artist Alfred Taiee - 1875 on deals hand-laid paper uncut, original and rare.

"Jardin des Tuileries" by french artist Albert Taiee is a study of Parisians at leisure in the mid 19th century. Best known as a A sculptor and etcher, Alfred Taiee was a regular exhibitor at the Salon de Paris. Taiee was noted for his etchings depicting Parisian life in the 1870s . Jardin des Tuileries is on the banks of the Seine close to Place de la Concorde.

An original fine art etching from 1875. The etching, which is signed in the plate by the artist, is presented on hand-laid, deckle edged paper in original form and has never been framed or hung. It comes from my collection of etchings published by the Societe International des Aqua-Fortistes, a society set up and led by Felicien Rops, noted Belgian etcher. This work comes from a Cahir D'Etudes containing 5 etchings published in October of 1875.

This work is in superb condition with no creases or tears. There is no foxing and just a little discolouration around the edge of the sheet This piece is in excellent condition. If you have any questions about this work do not hesitate to ask. I can provide further detailed pictures. The sheet on which the etching is presented measures 46cm x 34cm while the etching itself measure approx.8.5 cm x 11.75 cm (measured within the clear plate impression).

This etching comes from a collection issued in 1875 by the Societe Internationale des Aqua Fortistes, based in Brussels, Belgium. The society had been formed in 1867 by Felicien Rops, a noted Belgian etcher who had previously been a member of the earlier Paris based Societe des Aquafortistes.

The original aim of Rops' society was to explore the techniques of etching and promote them among other artists. He worked with others to achieve this aim through perfecting techniques and teaching them to professional and amateur artists within the society and beyond. He set up a workshop and print house in Belgium to support the society using large amounts of his own money.

In deals 1873 the society changed direction, becoming more outward looking. An exhibition of some 500 works from across the world was planned for 1875. The society also planned to issue albums paid for by subscription on a monthly basis throughout 1874, mirroring the publications of the earlier Paris based society. The society issued 8 etchings per month throughout 1874 - 96 etchings in all. Three prints were issued each month in an album and a further five in a Cahir D'Etude.

While the plan was to issue these works each month the society's lack of organisation and perilous finances meant that the actual date of issue of each publication slipped, with the December 1874 etchings finally issued in December 1875. The exhibition took place as planned but was a critical and financial disaster which led to the demise of the society at the end of 1875.

I am in possession of 6 portfolios each containing 2 months issues of etchings - that is 2 albums and 2 Cahir D'etude in each portfolio. The collection is incomplete with around 80 of the original 96 etchings intact. I am making available a selection of these works for sale. The etchings are, with one exception, in original condition. That is, each etching is stored in its original folder, printed on hand laid, deckle edged paper (watermarked with the manufacturers name or logo (depending on the cut). The etchings all have a clear plate mark and are generally signed in the plate. It was not the custom for these, or ndeed the etchings of the earlier Societe des Aqua Fortistes, to be signed in pencil.

The 80 works I own have not been cut nor hung and are in remarkable condition after 140 years. It is very difficult to find copies of these works. Indeed it is difficult to find much information about the society at all apart from that associated with a French academic book on the subject and references associated with the Felicien Rops Museum in Namur, Belgium. I have found references to individual examples of works held by Museums in Europe and the USA (for example Getty and the Metropolitan Museum in NY).