Mariano Fortuny y Marsal

Tanger, Arabes Assis Béraldi 17, Vives i Piqué/Cuenca Garcia 17 etching, on chine volant, the 1st state (of 2), a superb proof impression before the first edition,* with full margins, some light staining along the extreme sheet edges, very slight foxing in the margins, a modern hinge mount along the right sheet edge, otherwise in spendid condition P. 96x72 mm., S. 246x184 mm.

This etching is typical of Fortuny's interest on unassuming, everyday street scenes, and the rendering is remarkable in evoking the texture and detail of period dress and architecture; this particular impression turns his subtle treatment of drapery and masonry to advantage

Furthermore, this etching is quite rare, and may possibly be the first etching that Fortuny made, dated by Davillier to 1861.

* There is a fine impression, probably from the first edition (on ivory laid paper) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/399798