Frontispiece to "Eaux-fortes de Guérard, Collection de Mr. S. P. [Samuel Putnam] Avery, New York"

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, where charming late 19th-century black chalk drawing serves as the frontispiece for *Eaux-fortes deérard, Collection de Mr S. P. [Samuel Putnam] Avery, New*. Created by Samuel Putnam Avery Sr a prominent New York art collector and patron, in collaboration with French etcher Henri-Charles Gu, it graces the title page of a catalog showcasing Guérard's exquisite etchings from Avery's personal collection. Measuring 17 3/8 x 11 15/16 inches, the sheet captures a whimsical scene featuring dogs and ships, blending everyday motifs with nautical adventure. Black chalk, a versatile medium favored in the 19th century for its soft, expressive lines and tonal depth, allowed Avery and Guérard to evoke texture and movement—think furry companions bounding near vessels at sea. Avery, a key figure in American print collecting, amassed thousands of works, fostering transatlantic cultural exchange between Europe and the U.S. Guérard, known for his innovative etchings tied to the Impressionist circle, brought technical finesse to this piece. Gifted to the Met in 1967 by the Welcher sisters and Alice Welcher Erickson, it highlights the era's passion for printmaking catalogs, offering a delightful window into Victorian-era collecting tastes and artistic camaraderie.