15 lithographies d'après Degas [15 lithographs after Degas]Boussod, Valadon & Cie | Paris [1889] | folio (41 x 59 cm) | loose leaves under the publisher's portfolio
First and only edition published of this remarkable set of 15 original lithographs from the post-impressionist painter George William Thornley, only 100 copies printed.
Publisher's portfolio bound in boards very skilfully restored.
14 of the 15 lithographs are printed in colour (black, blue, green, mauve and different browns) on broadside China paper laid on pale blue thick paper, one is directly printed on thick paper.
All except the last, bear the stamp of Thornley's signature with the words “Chez Mrs Boussod & Valadon – 19 Bd Montmartre” and “Imp. Becquet frères à Paris”.
“In 1888, George William Thornley was commissioned to produce a series of lithographs based on the works of Degas. These lithographs go well beyond the reproduction quality of the renowned publisher.
They also demonstrate the high level of collaboration between Degas and Thornley.Thornley first selected the works to publish, made the necessary changes in the preparatory drawings and even interrupted the printing at times so that improvements could be made.
“The importance of Thornley's engravings in Degas' work is particularly highlighted by the book dedicated to Degas by JS Boggs and published by the Metropolitan Museum of New York; a publication in which we find several of the engravings presented in the collection.” (Chantal and Guy Heytens)
We have only identified two copies in libraries: one in the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the other in the Institut national d'histoire de l'art.
