Claude Gellee Le Lorrain 1771 Le Retour des Champs Engraving by Godefroy

Description

Le Retour des champs — Return from the Fields. A large pastoral engraving by François Godefroy reproducing a composition by Claude Gellée, known as Claude Lorrain, bearing the date 1771 in the plate. This impression carries the stamp “DOUBLETTE DER ALBERTINA” on the reverse.

This Claude Lorrain pastoral engraving depicts figures accompanied by their mounts and a herd in an open countryside setting. Large trees frame the composition and guide the eye towards an extensive plain backed by mountains. On the left, a building with a tower stands on a rocky rise.

In the foreground, resting animals and figures gathered along the path give the scene a peaceful atmosphere. The finely engraved detail describes foliage, tree bark, rocks and the successive layers of the landscape. Contrasts between the shaded foreground and luminous distance emphasise the depth of the composition.

The lettering includes the title Le Retour des champs and a dedication to the Countess de La Marck, with a coat of arms at the centre. It identifies the original painting by Claude Gellée, known as Le Lorrain, as belonging to the collection of the Abbé Reynoud. It also gives Buldet’s address in Paris, rue de la Harpe au Grand César.

The “DOUBLETTE DER ALBERTINA” stamp on the reverse provides an interesting element of provenance: it identifies an impression classified as a duplicate by the Albertina in Vienna.

Composition: Claude Gellée, known as Claude Lorrain.
Engraver: François Godefroy.
Date inscribed in the plate: 1771.
Publisher: Buldet in Paris.
Technique: intaglio engraving on paper.

Sheet dimensions: 52 × 41.1 cm.
Plate mark dimensions: 51 × 40.2 cm.
Image dimensions: 49.5 × 35.5 cm.

Condition: paper with age toning. An old horizontal fold or a carefully executed repair is present in the lower part of the image. Other very discreet restorations have been carried out outside the engraved image. Narrow margins with wear along the edges. The reverse shows traces of former mounting, adhesive strips and handwritten annotations.

The photographs of the front, reverse and collection stamp form an integral part of the description.

A large print bringing together Claude Lorrain’s pastoral landscape, François Godefroy’s engraving and an Albertina collection mark. It will look superb framed.