Jules Laurens & Charles de Tournemine

Puits Breton (Breton Well): An original lithograph by Jules Laurens 'Jules Joseph Augustin Laurens', Puits Breton was designed by Charles de Tournemine, also listed as 'Charles Emile Vacher de Tournemine'. It was published in Paris for Les Artistes Contemporains in 1854, and bears the rectangular blindstamp of "Les Artistes Contemporains" in the lower centre margin. The series, published between 1845-1855, contained original prints by such fine lithographers, etchers and engravers as Paul Gavarni, Francois-Louis Francais, Adolphe Mouilleron, Celestin-Francois Nanteuil, Charles Joshua Chaplin, Eugene Leroux, Henri Baron, Jules Laurens and other 19th century French artists. Puits Breton was later republished in 1860 for Les Artistes Anciens et Modernes. The later impression bears their circular stamp as well as the title within the lower margin, and the number, ‘204’, to the upper right of the image. An 1860 impression is housed in the collection of the British Museum, London, and can be viewed on their web site under the museum number, 1880,0710.213. This original lithograph hails from the earlier, Les Artistes Contemporains, Paris edition. The image depicts a scene in the countryside with trees and clouds throughout. To the right, two seated figures and a dog by a wooden structure (the well) shaded by an old tree. To their left, there is a man on a white horse and a woman with a water pot on her head walking towards them. For further information see: Jules Laurens: Illustre d'apres les oeuvres de l'artiste, University of B. C. Library, by Labande, Leon Honore, published by H. Champion, Paris, 1910, 200 Planches Dans "Les Artistes Contemporains", (2) "Puits breton" apres le meme (Ch. de Tournemine); No 166.

A collection of masterpieces from the French school of art was commissioned for Les Artistes Contemporains from 1845 to 1855. Each album contained reproductive and most importantly, original lithographs, engravings and etchings created by contemporary French artists of the 19th century. These prints bear the rectangular blindstamp of Les Artistes Contemporains. They were sold in portfolios (with the addition of a number in the upper right corner) and were also sold as individual prints (without the numbers, some were proofs others were early impressions). Both the portfolio and individual impressions were sold by Goupil or Goupil & Co. through the various company branches or by correspondents. Since "Puits Breton" (Breton Well) does not contain the number in the upper right corner, it is possibly one of the individual prints sold by the Goupil firm. Goupil & Co. was an important international printing / publishing / editing firm and Gallery in France founded by Adolphe Goupil (1806-1893) who entered into partnership with John Arrowsmith around 1827. Goupil later partnered with the German print dealer, Joseph Henry Rittner (1802-1840), and after Rittner's death, he then entered into partnership with Theodore Vibert (1816-1850), from around 1841 to 1850. Goupil & Co. opened a branch in London, represented by Ernest Gambart (1814-1902), who was also a major publisher and dealer in London. Another branch was opened in New York. (Note: The New York Branch of Goupil & Co., sold in 1857 to their N. Y. associate and manager, Michael Knoedler. The firm was later renamed as M. Knoedler & Co. and became one of the most important art publishing houses / galleries in the United States. See Knoedler & Co.). Through the years, Goupil continued to expand and opened branches in Berlin, the Hague and Brussels and also included new partners and associates to the firm such as Leon Boussod, Vincent van Gogh (the painter's uncle), Rene Valadon, and others. After nearly a century in business, their firm closed its doors around 1917 / 1919. As it took a period of several years to publish Les Artistes Contemporains, the Goupil firm underwent various changes of address and company names due to the addition or removal of partners and branches. The variations that appeared on some of the Les Artistes Contemprains publications were found in issues and or prints held in private and public collections. These changes are noted below. Note: As stated earlier, there are two issues listed for the year 1849, These issues contain a different address and name. Charles Furne (1794 - 1859) was a French publisher and editor. in 1833 he partnered with the editor Charles Gosselin (1793 1859) and the printer Henri Fournier, establishing the firm of Furne & Cie. Theodore Vibert (1816-1850) entered into partnership after around 1841 until his death in 1850. During that period, the firm names appear as 'Goupil & Vibert', 'Goupil et Vibert', and 'Goupil, Vibert et Cie'.

1846, 1847, Paris, Goupil, Vibert et Cie. 15 Boulevard Montmartre.
1848, Paris Furne et Cie, Rue Saint-Andre-Des–Arts, 55, & Goupil, Vibert Et Cie, Boulevard Montmartre, 15.
1849, Paris Furne et Cie, Rue Saint-Andre-Des–Arts, 55, & Goupil, Vibert Et Cie, Boulevard Des Italiens.
1849, Paris, Goupil, Vibert et Cie., 15, Boulevard Montmartre.
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, Paris Furne et Cie, Rue Saint-Andre-Des–Arts, 45, & Goupil, Vibert Et Cie, Boulevard Montmartre, 49.

Henri Beraldi, Les Graveurs du XIX Siècle: guide de l’amateur ‘estampes modernes, Volumes 9-10, Paris Librairie L. Conquet, 5, Rue Drouot, 5, 1889, Pg. 60, #2, lists various lithographs published by Bertauts for Les Artistes Anciens et Modernes et Les Artistes Contemporains, by Jules Laurens after Charles de Tournemine, 1850 et Suiv. They include; Puits Breton; Patres de Smyrne; Retour des Bergers; Maree basse; La Mare au Moulin; Route pres Guerande; and Souvenir d'Asie Mineure.

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