Jean Frélaut - A Sailboat Sets Sail

Technique: Original drypoint engraving.
Edition: Extremely rare state proof (working proof, prior to the series edition).
Signatures: Signed in pencil by the artist’s own hand in the lower right corner; handwritten notation "Épreuve d’état" in the lower right corner. Signed and dated on the plate (lower left).
Plate dimensions: 178 x 130 mm (excluding margins). Total: 224 x 179 mm
Support: Original art paper with wide margins, untrimmed.

This composition is characteristic of Frélaut’s work, as he excelled at depicting seascapes and river landscapes. The precise rendering of the rigging, the delicacy of the hatching, and the depth of the blacks achieved through drypoint convey the peaceful atmosphere of the French coastline with great sensitivity. The presence of the tugboat adds an interesting documentary dimension, illustrating the coexistence of traditional sailing vessels and modern navigation in the early 20th century.