Description
The Rape of Europa– Heliogravure – Amand-Durand – After BenedettoMontagna Engraving – Durand Stamp
This impression is a heliogravure reproduction by CharlesAmand-Durand after Benedetto Montagna’s ca.1515 engraving The Rape of Europa ( HindV.186.42; Bartsch XIII.345.23; TIB.XXV.2512.036 ). This impression was madein 1870s and has Amand-Durand’s red stamp on the back.
About Amand-Durand and His Heliogravures
Charles Amand-Durand (1831–1905) was a renowned Parisianengraver, publisher, and the inventor of the heliogravure technique. In thelate 1860s, commissioned by the Louvre Museum, he sought ways to preserve andrestore the worn prints of Old Masters. Discovering that many original plateswere too degraded for clear impressions, he turned to the newly developedheliogravure process to create meticulous facsimiles from early, high-qualityimpressions held by prestigious collections.
His technique involved photographic transfer of the imageto a light-sensitive ground on a copper plate, and manual refinement of finelines and tonal details. Each piece took a long preparation time—often monthsper plate—to ensure near-perfect fidelity. The results were so precise thateven experienced curators could mistake them for original prints. For thisreason, Amand-Durand’s heliogravures are not seen as mere reproductions but asartworks in their own right.
To distinguish his works ethically, Amand-Durand applieda red stamp ( Lugt 2934 ) to the verso of each heliogravure. After hisdeath in 1905, many of his copperplates were reused by others—but often withoutthe stamp, creating confusion in the art world. Thus, heliogravures bearingAmand-Durand’s red stamp are considered the most desirable and collectible.
Print Details
- Image Size: 8 × 5.25 in
- Technique: Heliogravure Etching
- Paper: Laid paper
- Condition: Excellent – strong impression, no noticeable damage, unframed
Provenance
· Bertolami Fine Art, Italy
· Ripley Auctions, USA
Disclaimer I have conducted thorough research to ensure the accuracy and attribution ofthis piece to the best of my ability. However, it is sold as is, with noguarantees or warranties regarding authorship or provenance.
