Description
The Fountain of Neptune- Heliogravure – Amand-Durand –After Claude Lorrain– Durand Stamp
This impression is a heliogravure reproduction by CharlesAmand‑Durand, after the 1637 etching The Fountain of Neptune by FrenchBaroque master painter, draughtsman, and printmaker Claude Lorrain ( ClaudeGellée , 1600–1682). It was one of the thirteen plates in series “TheFireworks of the Marquis of Castel Rodrigo, the Spanish Ambassador to the HolySee, on the Election of III of Hungary as King of the Romans”. A known originalimpression is held by The British Museum. The heliogravure was likely published1875 in the portfolio Eaux‑fortes de Claude Lorrain. Judged by the lack of inscription “XVI” on theupper left corner, this impression was based on the first state (of three) ofLorrain’s original etching.
About Amand-Durand and His Heliogravures Charles Amand-Durand (1831–1905) was a renowned Parisian engraver, publisher,and the inventor of the heliogravure technique. In the late 1860s, commissionedby the Louvre Museum, he sought ways to preserve and restore worn prints by theOld Masters. Discovering that many original plates were too degraded to yieldquality impressions, he turned to the newly developed heliogravure process tocreate meticulous facsimiles from early, high-quality impressions housed in majorprint collections.
His method involved photographic transfer to alight-sensitive copper plate, followed by manual refinement of intricate linesand tonal areas. Each piece required months of preparation, resulting inreproductions so exact that even experienced curators were occasionally fooled.Amand-Durand’s heliogravures are therefore regarded not merely asreproductions, but as works of art in their own right.
To mark his work ethically and confidently, Amand-Durandapplied a red stamp ( Lugt 2934 ) to the back of each heliogravure. Afterhis death in 1905, many of his copperplates were reused by others—but withoutthe stamp, leading to confusion in the collecting world. For this reason,stamped impressions are the most desirable and collectible today.
Print Details
- Image Size: 8 × 5.75 in
- Technique: Heliogravure Etching
- Paper: Laid paper with Hermes watermark
- 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 print to the best of my ability. However, it is sold as is, with noguarantees or warranties regarding authorship or provenance.
