Description

Acquaforte, 1869, firmata e datata in lastra in alto a destra. Magnifica prova, impressa su carta coeva, ampi margini, in perfetto stato di conservazione. Ludovic-Napoléon Lepic (17 dicembre 1839 - 27 ottobre 1889) è stato un artista, archeologo e mecenate francese. Fu chiamato Visconte Lepic fino alla morte di suo padre nel 1875, quando succedette al titolo di Conte Lepic. Oggi è ricordato soprattutto come amico di Edgar Degas, che lo incluse in circa undici dipinti e pastelli. Fece parte del gruppo originale degli impressionisti e più tardi divenne un riconosciuto pittore di marine. Gran parte dei primi lavori di Lepic furono delle acqueforti ed entrò a far parte della Société des aquafortistes nel 1862. ' I suoi esperimenti con l'acquaforte durante questo periodo furono innovativi, e sviluppò la tecnica dell’acquaforte variabile (eau-forte mobile) dove, variando l'inchiostro sulla lastra, era in grado di produrre risultati individuali per ogni stampa. Insegnò questa tecnica al suo vecchio amico Edgar Degas e i due cooperarono e firmarono il grande monotipo di Degas, Il maestro di ballo del 1874, ora alla National Gallery of Art, Washington. Lepic e Degas erano amici da giovani, con interessi simili, e avrebbero collaborato anche in altri modi. Fu Degas a convincere Lepic ad aiutare a pianificare e partecipare alle prime due mostre impressioniste. L'apparizione di Lepic in diverse opere di Degas registra alcuni degli entusiasmi che avevano in comune. ' La passione di Lepic per i cani, evidenziata dalle sue numerose incisioni, ha portato al pastello finale di Degas su Lepic, 1889 (Cleveland Museum of Art). Proprio con il suo cane viene raffigurato nella celebre incisione di Marcellin Desboutin (1876) https://www.antiquarius.it/it/scuola-francese-del-xix-secolo/10967-ritratto-di-ludovic-lepic.html Rara. Etching with plate tone on laid paper, 1869, signed and dated at upper right. A fine impression, with large margins, perfect condition. Ludovic-Napoléon Lepic (17 December 1839 – 27 October 1889) was a French artist, archaeologist and patron of the arts. He was styled as Vicomte Lepic until his father's death in 1875, when he succeeded to the title of Comte Lepic. He is best remembered today as a friend of Edgar Degas, who included him in some eleven paintings and pastels. He was among the original Impressionist group and later became a recognised marine painter. Lepic was the grandson of the Napoleonic general Louis Lepic, from whom the comital title had descended. Much of Lepic's early work was etchings, and he joined the Société des aquafortistes in 1862. ' His experiments with etching during this time were equally innovative, and he developed the technique of 'variable etching' (eau-forte mobile) where, by varying the ink on the plate, he was able to produce individual results at each printing. He was to teach this technique to his old friend Edgar Degas and the two co-operated on, and duly signed, Degas' large monotype The ballet master of 1874, now in the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Lepic and Degas were friends as young men, with similar interests, and were to co-operate in other ways too. It was Degas who persuaded Lepic to help plan and participate in the first two Impressionist exhibitions, but insistence by the group that he should not exhibit at the same time in the official Salon led Lepic to distance himself from them. The appearance of Lepic in several works by Degas records some of the enthusiasms they had in common. ' Lepic's fondness for dogs, evidenced by his many etchings, resulted in Degas' final pastel of Lepic holding one in the Cleveland Museum of Art (1889). It is with his dog that he is depicted in the famous etching by Marcellin Desboutin (1876) https://www.antiquarius.it/en/xix-century-french-school/10967-ritratto-di-ludovic-lepic.html Cfr.