LOUIS AUGUSTE MATHIEU LEGRAND (AFTER) French, 1863–1951 Couple Reclining in a Private Booth, circa 1904 etching and aquatint Pencil signed and dedicated lower right. Undated. Etching with aquatint that captures the decadent atmosphere of the Parisian fin de siècle through its depiction of a couple reclining in a private booth or bar. The artist utilizes a delicate palette of muted ochre, terracotta, and smoky grays to build a sense of hazy, late-night intimacy. Framed. Not examined out of frame. DIMENSIONS: Sight (as matted): 9 x 6.5 inches; frame: 15 x 12 inches $150-250
ARTIST PROFILE: Born in Dijon in 1863, Louis Auguste Mathieu Legrand was a distinguished French artist and engraver who transitioned from a career as a bank clerk to becoming a master of the aquatint. After winning the Devosge prize at Dijon's École des Beaux-Arts in 1883, he moved to Paris to study under the Belgian printmaker Félicien Rops, a mentorship that deeply influenced his focus on etchings and graphic art. Legrand became a chronicler of Parisian nightlife, frequently depicting dancers, prostitutes, and bar scenes with a signature blend of eroticism and decadence. His work often preceded that of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, particularly his illustrations of the Moulin Rouge and the can-can. His career was marked by both critical acclaim—including being named a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1906—and legal controversy; he was famously tried for obscenity regarding satirical works that critiqued social mores and naturalism.
