Jacques Villon

Original Prints: Lithographs, Etchings and Drypoints

A consummate and prolific draughtsman, Jacques Villon (1875 - 1963) first became known as an illustrator in the late 1890s, before turning to drypoint engraving, and etching with aquatint in a refined Belle Epoque style.

Around 1900, he produced a number of fine prints that are not without an acute sense of observation, including a variety of subjects, such as those shown here, scenes from the bustling city life or his immediate family circle.

Subsequently, along with his two brothers (Marcel Duchamp and Raymond Duchamp-Villon), he was instrumental in the avant-garde movement known as the Section d'Or (or the Group of Puteaux, from their regular meetings in the Villon studio there) that began to take shape in 1911. Their ideas of geometry and proportion in the organization of space, harking back to the Renaissance, were to deeply influence modern art, and move towards a refined version of cubism. 

Bernadette Bernadette Ginestet & Pouillon 21 aquatint 1899, an exceptional early working proof of an undescribed first state, signed by the artist This print represents Bernadette, who was Jacques Villon's favorite model for several years; furthermore it is ostensibly Villon's first aquatint, and one of his most successful.

Danseuse au Moulin Rouge Dancing Girl at the Moulin Rouge Ginestet & Pouillon 31 colour lithograph, 1899, the only known state, exceptionally signed by the artist This fine print of a cabaret dancer is one of Villon's best known lithographs, as originally published in Mellerio's L'Estampe et l'Affiche.

La Boudeuse Sulking Ginestet & Pouillon 37 etching with aquatint, 1900, the only known state, signed by the artist, an exceptional and rare – possibly unique – proof, with variant colors This fine print is one of Villon's most renowned early aquatints, for which Bernadette again posed.

En Visite On a Visit Ginestet & Pouillon 131 drypoint, 1905, the 2nd state (of 3), signed by the artist A very rare working proof of this charming print, showing the artist's two sisters in Sunday finery.

Le Petit Équilibriste The Small Acrobat Ginestet & Pouillon 287 etching, 1914, an exceptional and exceedingly rare early working proof of an undescribed first state, signed by the artist, and annotated "Etat" A very fine impression of one of Villon's best-known cubist prints, showing an acrobat hand-standing, legs flailing in the air, in resonance with his brother Marcel Duchamp's renowned  Nu descendant l'escalier of the year before.       next artist  >