Thatched Cottage, Engraving By Eugène Bléry, 1840

Eugène Bléry devoted himself to etching after discovering those of Jean-Jacques De Boissieu in 1836. He engraved more than 300 plates in 42 years. He was the master of another great engraver: Charles Meryon. He participated in the Salon from 1835 to 1870, he engraved and printed his works himself on his press. He worked on the motif in the open air on prepared plates. Despite his fame he remained a very solitary artist, his works were part of large collections: Pierre Miquel, H.M. Petiet etc. Etching on chine applied to vellum. We can read at the bottom left: E Bléry del sculp and at the bottom right: aqua forti 1840. The chine is in perfect condition but the margins of the sheet are attacked by humidity especially the right margin and foxing (to be treated).