96 - Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret (1782–1863)

Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret (1782–1863) The Loafers of Rue du Coq. 1804. Pen-and-brush lithograph (“Printed by the lithographic press, 24 Rue St. Sébastien. "). 374 x 215 [414 x 276 mm]. Gräff not described; I.F.F. not described; Senefelder in Daumier 31; Bonafous-Murat Cat., 1987, no. 1. A very fine print on ivory-colored vellum, with beautiful period coloring. Light foxing. Slight crease marks in the wide margins. AABM stamp (Lugt 3075). Unknown to Bouchot and Gräff, this precious lithographic incunabulum depicts the shop of the famous print dealer and publisher Martinet. This print was registered with the legal deposit office on April 12, 1805, under number 115, by Louise Gabrielle Revillon, wife of Vernay, successor to Frédéric André, who had founded the first lithographic printing press in Paris. It depicts the shop of the famous print dealer Aaron Martinet, located at 124 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré—now rue Marengo—a gathering place for print enthusiasts, particularly those interested in caricatures, during the Consulate and the Empire. In it, one can see a crowd gathering in front of the new items displayed in the shop window. Long overlooked, this print was later mistaken for an etching by D. Bosio (see Beraldi, vol. II, p. 167). Loÿs Delteil, who reproduced the print (Manuel de l’Amateur d’estampes des XIXe et XXe siècles, Paris, Dorbon Aîné, 1925, vol. I, p. 24, reprinted opposite p. 62), was, it seems, the first to attribute the authorship of this print to P.-N. Bergeret.