Description
The Crozier – Heliogravure – Amand-Durand – After MartinSchongauer Engraving – Durand Stamp
This impression is a heliogravure reproduction by CharlesAmand‑Durand, based on Martin Schongauer’s circa 1475–1480 engraving TheCrozier ( Bartsch 106 (102); Lehrs 105; Hollstein XLIX, p. 215, no. 125 ). Produced in 1876, thiscopy bears Amand‑Durand’s red collector’s stamp (Lugt 2934) on the verso.
Schongauer’s The Crozier —also known as “A Bishop’sCrosier”—is a celebrated work held in major collections such as theMetropolitan Museum of Art and shows Schongauer’s mastery in engraving andornamentation. The original engravings by Schongauer are rare and highly prizedin today’s market.
Amand‑Durand’s high-end heliogravures faithfullyreplicate these masterpieces at a fraction of the cost, while his red-stampedimpressions are especially collectible, distinguishing them from later,unmarked printings
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: 12 × 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
Inscriptions
- Lower part: M+S
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.
