28. Maxime Lalanne
(1827-1886)
Plage des Vaches Noires à Villers (Calvados)

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Lalanne, Plage des Vaches

Plage des Vaches Noires à Villers (Calvados)

Etching, 1869, from 12 Croquis, Béraldi 65, Lalanne 64, B.N. Inv. 21, Villet 63 v/v, 154 x 242 mm. Fine impression with wiped plate tone on wove paper with good (probably full) margins. Lalanne referred to many of his works as croquis (sketches), but what he produced were meticulously drawn and detailed images, topographically precise and compositionally finished. The only thing that proclaims the "sketch" is the clearly evident speed and fluency of the drawing on the etched plate. Lalanne was a draughtsman of uncanny ability who apparently never etched a wrong or awkward line and who did it all with ease. Profundity aside, he was among the most graceful of etchers. The vaches noires are, of course, the black rocks dotting this cliff-bordered beach at Villers-sur-Mer in Normandy, which are said to have fallen from the cliffs above. Those travellers who have been there will find this an immediately recognizable scene; those who as yet have not, will know precisely what to expect.