“L’extase”
Small unsigned etching after his own painting.
7 x 11 cm.
Unknown etcher “aquafortiste”.
A copy of Chaplins painting “l’Extase” was sold in 2005 in America. Its title at the American auction (“Extasy”) nor the French title could not be verified to be original. If it is, this painting could be placed along Gustave Courbet’s (1819-1877) “Origin du Monde” openly referring to the sexuality of women (in picture and in title).
The painter Chaplin is mainly known for his exquisite portraits of young upperclass ladies and his like wise nudes: “Baigneuses” (bathers ) and “Odalisques”, reclining nudes. Their poses may indicate they’ve experienced a tiring and exciting experience (of a certain nature) shortly before.
At least 2 very nice original etchings by his hand were found, both “Nue de dos” probably also created after his own paintings.
“L’extase”
Some research into Chaplins painting learned there are have been more, not exactly identical versions of “L’exstase”. The same goes for etched copies after the painting(s) created by several well known contemporary etchers.
The painting (or different copies) was copied at least three times by contemporary and fellow etchers, possibly a clue to the notoriety when the painting was fresh.
I
Eugène André Champollion (Embrun 1848 - 1901 Lettret) (left)
French writer and illustrator. Studied under Léon Gaucherel (1816-1886) and Edmond Hedouin (1820-1889). Champollion mastered the art of etching as well as most of engraving techniques. He contributed to the Magazine de Paris with etchings between 1873 and 1876 and the Gazette des Beaux-Arts. He exhibited several times in the Salon of French artists and the Universal Exhibitions of 1889 and 1900, especially the practice of interpretation and severe burning among others the work of Georges Rochegrosse. He created illustrations for bibliophile books for Edward Dentu, A. Ferroud, Damase Jouaust, etc.
Eugène Champollion seems not directly or closely related to the famous historian Jean Francois Champollion (1790 1832) who cracked the code of the Egyptian hieroglyphs, made a mezzotint engraving and so did Emile Boilvin (1845-1899).
Champollion’s version is obviously not the same girl as in recently sold painting because of the very different hairstyles. But it is signed both by Chaplin and Champollion which means Chaplin created (more than 2) different versions of “l’ Extase”. He also depicts the model with lips closed. In the (another version of) painting and in the artist own etched copy the lips are sensuously shown slightly opened.
II
Émile Boilvin (Saint Marie du Mont (Channel) 20-10-1845 - 1899 or 1920) (right)
Known to have worked in Algers and Tunis. Student of Quillard (?) and Migno (?). With Paul Adolphe Rajon (1848-1888) studied from 1862 at Paris “École des Beaux Arts” under Isidor Pils (1815-1875)
His painting ”Montagnes de Choua” was bought by the French State. Awarded “Officer de l’ordre du Nichan Iftikhar”. Exhibited in Reims, Rouen and Baltimore.
III
Lucien Nicolas Quarante (Metz 1860 - 1902 Paris) (below)
Painter and engraver. Studied al Paris “l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts” and in the studio’s of Cabanel (1823-1889) and Louis Pierre d’Henriquel-Dupont (1797-1892) and worked unde
the guidance of Fréderique-Auguste Laguillermie (1841-1934).
Exhibited for the first time in the 1887 Salon de 1887 with a portrait after Frans Halsearning a “Mention Honorable”. Exhibited frequently in the Salon mainly copying old masters.
He co-operated, worked for the journal “l’Art". His version of L’extase” is obviously after yet another copy of Chaplin’s painting. The model wears a ribbon around her neck while
her left hand is held upwards.
