Listening to the Fairies – 19th Century Heliogravure Reproduction after Cuno von Bodenhausen
Sold
Description
Listening to the Fairies – 19th Century Heliogravure Reproduction after Cuno von Bodenhausen
A late 19th-century heliogravure titled Listening to the Fairies, reproduced after the original painting by German artist Cuno von Bodenhausen (1852–1931). The composition depicts a young woman seated in a woodland setting, pausing attentively as if hearing unseen fairy voices, accompanied by an owl emerging from the reeds. Rendered in a romantic, symbolist style, the scene reflects late 19th-century fascination with folklore, nature, and mystical subjects.
This heliogravure was produced after Bodenhausen’s original painting and published by G. Gebbie & Co. The image is printed on wove paper with full margins. The sheet exhibits notable age toning and heavier foxing, particularly in the margins and verso, consistent with period photographic gravure prints.
About Heliogravure:
Heliogravure, also known as photogravure, is a high-quality intaglio printing process developed in the mid-to-late 19th century that combines photography with traditional copperplate etching. Prized for its rich tonal depth, soft gradations, and painterly surface, heliogravure was widely used to reproduce important works of art with greater fidelity than standard photographic prints. Each impression is hand-inked and printed from an etched plate, making heliogravures true fine art prints rather than purely mechanical reproductions. Today, they are valued for both their aesthetic quality and historical significance.
________________________________________
Print Details
• Size: 14.5 × 10.5 in
• Technique: Heliogravure on wove paper
• Artist: after Cuno von Bodenhausen
• Publisher: G. Gebbie & Co.
• Condition: Fair to good overall; heavier foxing and age toning throughout; unframed