Harris Schrank Fine Prints

Pierre Gatier (1878-1948), La Toilette (also known as Le Rimmel or L’elegante a sa Toilette), 1911, preliminary  drawing in pencil, ink and watercolor for the etching and aquatint, signed in color lower right and and inscribed “aquarelle dessin pour L’Eegantes de Monmartre”.  The reference for the print is  Felix Gatier 81, from the series L’Elegantes de Montmarte, 1911″ (4 plates), as edited by George Petit, and published in a suite of 100. In very good condition (some handling folds toward the outer edges), on a light simile Japan wove paper, the full sheet with wide margins, 8 5/8 x 12 1/2, the sheet 14 x 21 5/8 inches.

The drawing outlines the complete composition of the final etching and aquatint, but focuses the coloration on the central figure; the rest of the composition is delineated in both pencil and ink. The size of the drawing is about the same as the print.  The woman in the drawing has a softer expression, less stern than in the print; her stockings are black,  her undergarment white with pink trim, and unlike the print, she wears a white headband.

In Le Rimmel (eyeliner) Gatier captures the spirit of the Belle Epoque, and demonstrates his facility with aquatint, and the method of using three color plates which apparently fascinated him – he wrote a treatise on the method, which is re-printed in the recently published catalogue raisonne of his prints.

Le Rimmel is the second plate of a series of four, showing a women of Montmarte waking, dressing (Le Rimmel), shopping, and then going out on the town. This is – in our view – the most interesting depiction in the series.

The drawing and print are sold as a pair.

$3200 the pair

The Print – see separate entry