27/?

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

Created by the French artist Achille Devéria between 1839 and 1842, this large lithograph measures 386 by 550 millimetres and forms part of a numbered series, as suggested by its title “27/?”. Devéria was a leading figure in the Romantic era, celebrated for his skill in capturing contemporary Parisian society, literary scenes, and fashion through the relatively new medium of lithography. Lithography allowed artists to draw directly onto stone, producing soft tonal effects and fine detail that could be printed in large editions. This technical innovation made art more accessible to a growing middle-class audience, transforming the way images circulated in 19th-century France. The presence of the collector’s stamp (Lugt 2228a) on the verso further indicates the print’s journey through distinguished collections, underscoring its enduring appeal among connoisseurs. Though the precise subject of plate 27 remains unidentified, the work exemplifies Devéria’s elegant draftsmanship and his contribution to the golden age of French lithography. Visitors can appreciate both the technical mastery on display and the broader cultural shift toward reproducible art that helped shape modern visual culture.

About the Artist

Achille Devéria · 1800–1857

Achille Jacques-Jean-Marie Devéria (1800–1857) was a French painter and lithographer whose prolific output and sophisticated portrait work made him one of the most important visual chroniclers of French Romantic culture. Born in Paris on February 6, 1800, Devéria came of age during the Restoration period and became closely associated with the Romantic movement that dominated French arts and letter...