Charles Forget (1886–1960) Collection Of 15 Original Etchings. Views Of France.

Charles FORGET (1886–1960)

A beautiful and significant collection of 15 original etchings by Charles Forget, a remarkable French engraver of the first half of the 20th century, particularly renowned for his views of historic French cities.

This collection features views of Paris, Rouen, Quimper, Caen, Angers, Blois, Auxerre, Dijon, Laval, Ribeauvillé, Josselin, and Cherrueix, created primarily between the late 1920s and the 1940s.

Charles Forget captures the atmosphere of old French streets with great finesse: Gothic architecture, half-timbered houses, cathedrals and bell towers, bustling squares, markets, people, horse-drawn carts, and automobiles all serve as precious testimonies to a France that has now largely disappeared.

Several prints are of particular interest, bearing the handwritten notations “Artist’s proof,” “Proof printed by the artist,” or “State proof printed by the artist.” Others are numbered as part of a series of 120 or 150 copies.

Most are signed in pencil by Charles Forget, and some are also signed, inscribed with a location, and dated on the plate.

Among the most notable subjects are Paris—Rue de Venise, Quimper and its cathedral, Rouen—the Gros-Horloge, Auxerre—the Clock Tower, Angers—Rue Pinte, as well as Cherrueix and its mills.

A view of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, bearing the inscription “Original etching,” accompanies the set; in the absence of a clearly legible signature, we present it with caution, without definitively attributing it to Charles Forget.

The engravings are preserved unframed. In good overall condition. Some sheets show slight yellowing as well as a few scattered small foxing spots, which do not significantly affect the viewing of the works.

Variable dimensions: approximately 31 × 24 cm to 58 × 39 cm.

A beautiful, cohesive set, likely assembled long ago, which we have chosen to preserve and offer in its entirety.

France, first half of the 20th century.
15 etchings.

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