Eugene Delatre

Eugène Delâtre trained in the studio of his father, the painter and printmaker Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907), and also under the artist John Lewis Brown. Most of his prints are etchings, copper engravings, or drypoint, and he taught these printmaking techniques to many important modern artists, including Picasso. A prominent early twentieth century French etcher and printer, Eugene Delatre studied art techniques under John Lewis Brown and under his famous father, Auguste Delatre. Auguste Delatre (1822-1907) had established himself as the most sought after printer of fine etchings during the latter nineteenth century. During this period he printed the etched plates of such prominent artists as Meryon, Bracquemond, Whistler, Seymour Haden and many others. Eugene Delatre continued this fine tradition into the twentieth century and printed the plates of Picasso and others. Eugene Delatre first gained international recognition as a creative etcher during the mid 1890's when he contributed plates to such influential publications as "L'Estampe Originale" (1894). Many of these early works were etchings printed in colors and in this decade Delatre, along with such etchers as Jean Francois Raffaelli and Manuel Robbe, led the way in the revival of the color etching. Eugene Delatre was a founding member of the Societe de la gravure en couleurs and a full, exhibiting member of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Many of his fine etchings, such as this original example, depict scenes around the vicinity of Montmartre and the landscape of the river Sarthe.