Don Paez.

Heliogravure, heavily retouched with pen and black ink, 14,9 x 10,0 cm (plate), 26,9 x 19,3 cm (sheet), laid paper, signed in black ink with monogram at bottom left of print: "FR", signed in pencil at bottom right of sheet: "Félicien Rops", title in pencil at bottom centre: "Don Paez.".

Gilt edges. Good impression with wide margins. Excellent condition. Extraordinary insight into the process of the artist.

Illustration produced for "Alfred de Musset" in 1876. Impression of the extremely rare 1st state (of 6). Proof on which Félicien Rops (1833-1898) has added numerous details by hand such as the shades and fabric on the man and woman, the head of a pirate at top left and the skeleton of a bird at top right. These elements were later added to the plate with etching and drypoint. Compare to an untouched impression of the 1st state in Namur (Musée Félicien Rops, inv. PER E0481.1.CF).
Ref. Exsteens 481. - Rouir 572.