Louis Legrand: Catalogue Raisonne

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Over half a century after his death, Louis Legrand now emerges from the historical pit of oblivion. Disciple of Felicien Rops, friend and contemporary of such artists as Toulouse-Lautrec, Steinlen, Anquetin, and the leading critics of the day, he was celebrated, decorated and admired: his sin was to live too long. Art has its fashions which advance relentlessly, styles and movements succeed each other ever faster, and yesterdays' bright, shining star is superseded by bright, shining new ones. Legrand is virtually unknown to the public at large, though his works are sought after, studied, fought over and collected by a small number of fanatic fans all over the world. With the passing of time, and thanks to a major exhibition of the graphic works of Legrand at the Felicien Rops Provincial Museum, supported by the Province of Namur and the Belgian National Lottery, it is time for the public at large to finally have an opportunity to see these works. They are delicate, often touching, sensual, literary, ironic, with a richness of image and ravishing colours. This volume is published to coincide with the exhibition, and consists of a Catalogue Raisonne of Legrand's graphic works, the outcome of several years of research by Victor Arwas, art historian and passionate collector; as well as a study in depth of the artist. It is accompanied by an article analysing the relationship between Legrand and Rops by Veronique Leblanc, art historian in charge of the project of the publication of the complete correspondence of Rops.

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