Lucien FAURE (1828-1904) - Original lithograph signed and dedicated - "La Vache" (The Cow)

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Superb lithograph by Lucien FAURE (1828-1904), entitled "La Vache", depicting a rural scene imbued with realism and finesse. This work testifies to the artist's talent for depicting the rural world and animal bestiary.

Technique: Lithography
Signature: Signed and dedicated lower right
Dimensions : 45 x 63 cm (17.72 x 24.80 inches)
Condition : Good overall condition, with slight traces of age consistent with its age.

The work "La Vache Curieuse" (The Curious Cow) by Lucien Faure (1828-1904) is in the tradition of 19th-century rural scenes, where the animal occupies a central place in the popular and artistic imagination.
Symbolism of the work :

The Cow as a Symbol of Gentleness and Rurality
The cow is often associated with gentleness, fertility and nourishment, being a key element of agricultural life. In 19th-century representations, it is seen as a symbol of prosperity and stability.

Curiosity and anthropomorphism
By entitling his work "La Vache Curieuse" (The Curious Cow), Lucien Faure humanizes the animal, giving it an almost childlike attitude. Curiosity is an intellectual quality generally attributed to humans, which accentuates the emotional bond between man and animal.

The Eye of the Spectator
The cow, often turned towards the observer, creates a direct interaction. This gaze can symbolize a moment of mutual observation, where man and animal discover each other in a silent dialogue.

Idealized peasant life
At a time when industrialization was gathering pace, naturalist artists such as Lucien Faure were highlighting simple, peaceful scenes of farming life. The cow became an emblematic figure of the countryside, a nostalgic reminder of an authentic way of life.

A heritage of Realism and Naturalism
His work is in the tradition of animal realism, influenced by painters such as Rosa Bonheur and Constant Troyon, who sought to portray animals faithfully, without exaggeration or romantic idealism.

Lucien Faure, also known as Louis-Lucien Faure-Dujarric, was a French artist born in 1828 and died in 1904. He is best known for his lithographs and posters illustrating scenes of daily life, animals and advertising.
Among his notable works are "La Vache curieuse ou le retour des champs", a lithograph depicting a rural scene with a cow, and "En Panne", a 1903 color lithograph illustrating a broken-down automobile. He also produced advertising posters, such as "The Empire Typewriter, the Leading Writing Machine of the World", a color lithograph published around 1897.
Lucien Faure's works are appreciated for their detailed and vivid depiction of everyday life in the 19th century, as well as for their contribution to the field of advertising posters.

Ref: 97EAFQJRES