Felicien Rops shops (Belgium 1833-1898). La Barque. A rare fine art 19th century etching on hand-laid paper. Uncut and original

Fine art etching by Felicien Rops (1833-1898). This original and rare print is titles La Barque'. This print dates from 1875. It is in its original condition on a an uncut deckle-edged sheet of hand-laid paper bearing the makers watermark. It has never been framed or hung, having been kept in its original portfolio. The print depicts a person reclining shops in a boat on the bank of a river or lake over the title of the work. The print is credited in the accompanying documentation but otherwise unsigned.

The print is from a collection of etchings published by the Societe International des Aqua-Fortistes in 1875. Monthly portfolio were issued throughout the year and this print is from the March portfolio. The society was formed in 1867 by Felicien Rops, a noted Belgian etcher who had previously been a member of the earlier Paris based Societe des Aquafortistes.

Rops contributed a number of etchings to the collection. The majority were published under his own name. He also submitted a few works under pseudonyms. The best known of these is a 'self portrait' by William Lesly. Lesly is Rops himself, presented as the artist imagined an English gentleman of the day would dress. It is thought this was a ploy to make the collection appear more 'international' than it actually was.

This work is in excellent condition with no creases or tears. There is no foxing and just a little discolouration around the edge of the sheet The sheet on which the etching is presented measures 46 cm x 34 cm while the etching itself measures approximately 20 cm x 12 cm, measured within the clear plate impression.

On offer is the print. Pictures of the original portfolio and associate material are for context only.