I have a print of a small boy with 2 Belgian Malinois dogs that appear to be a female and her pup. In the bottom right corner is the artist name, Alfred Guilloiz. Beneath his name is: a copyright symbol, then R.C. CO., N.Y. The bottom right corner has the number 1646.
Using a library book that covered the very first process of print making to modern day lithographs, the author gave detailed, step by step procedures of print making as it progressed. He then instructed how and what to look for in a print to establish what process was used to make a print.
I purchased an agfa loop magnifier, removed the print from it's frame, and proceeded to establish that my print is an intaglio, second only to the oldest, gravois.
Using the loop, I found every 'clue' he suggested to look for that indicates the intaglio print process.
Hill and valley deep definite lines in the paper. A rough outline of the subject that was done with a black grease pencil. Pin holes to align the plates as the ink was applied. Inspecting the ink lying in a line of the paper and finding two differnent colors, one laying over the other.
He stated that on occasion, the print becomes 'off register', and sure enough, this print is just that around the shoes and other areas of the subjects. The grease pencil outline is apparent on the dogs and one of the pin holes is vsible on the boys hat.
A 'printers mark' is visible on the back of the paper, and after researching, I believe the paper to be 'rice' paper, but not certain. Right now, if this print was taken out of the frame, it would break, that's how rigid it is.
I have studied the artist, Alfred Guilloiz, to learn he was a maritime painter, living in Con Carceneau, France. He was an established, master painter when Picasso was just beginning. Alfred Guilloiz passed away in 1929.
Looking in auction house archives, I found his oil paintings and other works fetched a hefty penny. Some of his works are still on exihibit in a museum in Paris, France. I have not found any information on my print....the artist make the print?
My query did find information on the web that the border on this print was no longer used sometime in the early 1920's
I have two scenerios regarding the copyright and number: the print was made for an auction and that was a reference, or it was made for a museum exihibit that would include the oil painting and the print was used to avertise.
It is still in the frame it was when I bought it. Simple wood frame, put together with nails at the corners. The back is two pieces of plywood, top piece not as tall as bottom. The plywood is held in place by small, triangular shaped razors, stuck into the frame board.
