Teacher - Mosè Bianchi 1868-80

📜 Descrizione
Original antique print by Mosè Bianchi, titled “Il più povero”, published in Paris by Cadart & Luce circa 1870 as part of the renowned “Illustration Nouvelle” series. This etching and drypoint on rice paper presents a socially charged interior scene centered on a group of children and a dominant adult figure depicted in a stern, disciplinary gesture. The collector’s value of this antique engraving lies in the quality of the etched line, the narrative strength of the composition, and its inclusion in the deluxe edition limited to 100 impressions on rice paper.

The composition is structured with a theatrical and narrative approach, with figures arranged across multiple planes and a spatial construction leading the eye toward the architectural background. The graphic line alternates between fine, delicate strokes and denser cross-hatching, producing strong chiaroscuro effects and an atmospheric depth consistent with late 19th-century Realist sensibility. The combined use of etching and drypoint gives the image a particularly soft and vibrant tonal quality, enhancing the emotional intensity of the scene.

📚 Nota storico-artistica
Mosè Bianchi (Monza, 1840 – 1904) was a leading figure of 19th-century Lombard painting, active between Monza, Milan, and Venice, known for his attention to light, everyday life, and social themes. “Il più povero” reflects this artistic direction, translating a scene of strong emotional and narrative impact into the medium of printmaking.

The publication by Cadart & Luce in Paris places the work within the broader European revival of original etching during the second half of the 19th century, when fine art prints were produced in limited editions for collectors and connoisseurs. This original antique print, issued within the “Illustration Nouvelle” series, demonstrates Bianchi’s engagement with international printmaking circles and confirms the high technical quality of his graphic work.

🧾 Scheda tecnica
Tipologia: antique print / original etching
Autore / Manifattura: Mosè Bianchi (Monza, 1840 – 1904)
Luogo: Paris
Epoca: circa 1870
Materiale: rice paper
Tecnica: etching and drypoint
Soggetto / Titolo: “Il più povero”
Dimensioni: sheet 26.5 × 38.5 cm; plate mark 14.5 × 21 cm
Marchi / firme / iscrizioni: plate-signed lower left; blank verso
Edizione: deluxe edition limited to 100 impressions on rice paper, from “Illustration Nouvelle”, Cadart & Luce

🔍 Condition Report
Very good overall condition. Paper well preserved, with wide and even margins. Strong, clear impression with balanced inking and good readability of the etched line. Blank verso. No significant structural defects observed based on the available information.