FRANCISCO DE GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828)

Obsequio á el maestro, plate 47 from: Los Caprichos

Details

FRANCISCO DE GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828)
Obsequio á el maestro, plate 47 from: Los Caprichos
etching with burnished aquatint and engraving
1797-98
on laid paper, without watermark
Harris' state II (of three)
a superb, early, undescribed trial proof, with the title and plate number but before the burnishing of the doll or child
probably the earliest known impression of this plate, possibly unique, before the edition published by the artist in 1799
printing sharply, with brilliant highlights and considerable inky relief
the accidental scratch on the sleeve of the foremost figure and the text guidelines very distinct
trimmed inside the platemark but retaining a blank border outside the image
in good condition
Sheet 20,6 x 14 cm. (8 1⁄8 x 5 ½ in.)

Provenance

Dr. Josef Hupka (1875-1944), Vienna (without stamp and not in Lugt; according to Sotheby's and Kornfeld).
Private Swiss Collection; Sotheby's, London, 11 December 1973, lot 48 (as part of a complete set of Caprichos which included six proofs in total.)
Kornfeld & Klipstein, Bern, 13 June 1974, lot 329.
Otto Schäfer (1912-2000), Schweinfurt (Lugt 5881); acquired at the above sale; his sale, Kornfeld, Bern, Meisterwerke der Graphik von 1425 bis 1925: Teile der Sammlung Otto Schäfer, 24 June 1992, lot 367.
Acquired at the above sale; then by descent to the present owners.

Literature

L. Delteil, Le peintre graveur illustré: Francisco Goya, Paris, 1922, no. 84 (another impression ill.).
T. Harris, Goya - Engravings and Lithographs - Catalogue raisonné, Oxford, 1964, no. 82, p. 120 (another impression ill.).

Exhibited

Hamburg, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Verhext – Phantastische Graphik aus der Sammlung Hegewisch, November 1997 – March 1998 (no cat.).

Sale room notice

Please refer to Christie’s website for up-to-date provenance. This print was offered as part of a complete set of Caprichos at Sotheby’s, London, on 11 December 1973, lot 48. The set included six proofs, including the present one.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Zack Boutwood Cataloguer

zboutwood@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7389 2025

Lot Essay

The present, probably unique, impression of this plate is one of the very few proofs of the Caprichos which differ not only in the inscriptions but in the image from the published version. Here, the small doll-like figure or baby offered with great devotion to the devil, is not yet burnished white, as in all other known examples. The huddles figures piously paying their respect to the tall, horned figure at right all wear hooded cloaks, identifying them as monks and nuns. The titles translates to 'A gift for the master'.
The outstanding printing quality of this proof lends it a presence and vibrancy not found even in the finest examples from the First Edition.

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