Félicien Rops, The Scrifice, 1882, Etching

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Héliogravure with extensiive manual retouching in soft-ground etchind and roulette on paper, table from the suite "Les Sataniques". Not signed … Read more Héliogravure with extensiive manual retouching in soft-ground etchind and roulette on paper, table from the suite "Les Sataniques". Not signed nor numbered, as issued. An exceptionally crisp, dark impression of plate IV from Félicien Rops’ highly controversial, masterfully executed fin-de-siècle suite, Les Sataniques. This series represents the absolute zenith of the artist's engagement with Symbolist, Decadent, and subversive imagery, heavily influencing the literary spheres of contemporary Paris, including writers Joris-Karl Huysmans and Charles Baudelaire. The print is executed on thick wove paper, displaying excellent tonal depth and velvety blacks characteristic of Rops’ meticulous use of roulette and soft-ground etching overlays. Very light, characteristic age-toning to the wide margins, with standard soft creasing typical of contemporary handling. Verso remains clean with minor tape remnants along the extreme upper edges from previous mounting. Overall an exceptional, unwashed collector's copy. Félicien Rops occupies a pivotal position in European Symbolism. Closely associated with the literary circles of Charles Baudelaire, Joris-Karl Huysmans, and the Decadent movement, his graphic works combine exceptional technical mastery with a deeply personal iconography. The Les Sataniques series remains among his most sought-after productions, admired for its psychological intensity, imaginative power, and lasting influence on modern graphic art. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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