Lot 53: ARTHUR FOACHE (1871-1967) [LA GARONNE.] 1898.

26x19 inches. Casan Fils, Toulouse.
Condition B+: restorationin margins and image. Matted.
Another previously undocumented variant of a famous image. In the 1890s Cassan Fils was one of the largest printers in Toulouse, and one of the best in France. They were an extremely dynamic company, who had opened up an office in Paris and commissioned posters by Baylac and Mucha. This near-perfect, Art Nouveau image is an allegory of the river La Garonne, that flows from the Pyrenees to Bordeaux. The exquisite drawing and design owe a lot to Alphonse Mucha (and particularly his poster for the Salon des Cent), but the colors are purely Foache's. Proud of their craft, Cassan Fils used this beautiful print as a present for clients (both with and without text). However, this variation has previously not come to market. Abdy p. 149 (var) DFP-II 359 (var).