Charles Nègre (1820 - 1880)

Photogravure on original card.

Nègre family collection

Heilbrun, Françoise, Charles Nègre photographe 1820-1880, Éditions des Musées nationaux, Paris, 1980, ill. p. 293, pl. 142 ; La Photographie III. Collection Marie-Thérèse et André Jammes, L'Œuvre de Charles Nègre, Sotheby's Paris, 22 March 2002, see lot 590.

Print surface in very good condition. Some light foxing at the edges in the margin area, and traces of dirt on the reverse.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Charles Nègre, together with Nicéphore Nièpce, Nièpce de St. Victor and Alphonse Poitevin, developed the process of the 'héliogravure' (photogravure) which was very popular in the 19^th century and at the beginning of the 20^th century with the Pictorialist movement. It was a form of photomechanical reproduction which allowed the production of finely controlled and chemically stable prints.

At the request of the architect Jean-Baptiste Lassus (1807-1857) (who wanted to publish a monumental 'Monographie complète de la Cathédrale de Chartres' illustrated by photogravures) Nègre produced a small series of large architectural studies and details of the famous Gothic monument.