Henri GUÉRARD (1846 - 1897) - Lot 122

Henri GUÉRARD (1846 - 1897) Rabbits, before 1892 Lithograph on wove paper Signed and justified "93" in pencil at bottom outside plate Limited edition of 100 copies for the quarterly publication "L'estampe originale". 33 x 23 cm (Small brown stain under the nose of the left rabbit, probably mounted on cardboard, margins probably cut, under glass) NOTICE Henri Guérard (1846-1897) was a French engraver, painter and printer, renowned for his role in the revival of printmaking and his involvement in the Impressionist movement. A close friend of many artists of his time, Guérard left his mark on nineteenth-century art through his technical mastery of engraving and his exploration of new printing techniques. He particularly excelled in etching and lithography, two processes he helped popularize among his contemporaries. Guérard was born in Paris, where he frequented the most influential artistic circles of his time. He collaborated with Impressionist painters such as Édouard Manet, whose prints he produced, and with Félix Bracquemond, another great engraver of his time. He also shared links with artists such as Edgar Degas, whose experimentation with printing processes and contemporary subjects matched Guérard's interests. In addition to his career as an engraver, Henri Guérard created original works, including genre scenes, cityscapes and still lifes. He was renowned for his meticulous eye, able to capture light and atmosphere with great sensitivity. His wife, Eva Gonzalès, a student of Manet and an Impressionist painter, also influenced his work, and their creative partnership reinforced Guérard's immersion in Impressionist circles. One of the most striking aspects of Guérard's work is his openness to the influence of Japanese art, particularly through ukiyo-e (Japanese prints), which fascinated many European artists of the time. This influence is reflected in the simplicity of form and use of space in some of his prints. Although less famous than his Impressionist contemporaries, Henri Guérard played a key role in the spread and evolution of printmaking techniques in France. His works, both as an artist and as a printer, bear witness to his deep commitment to the art of printmaking, and his influence is still felt today in the history of graphic art.