Le Banc de jardin (The Garden Bench) 1883

This is one of the finest mezzotints by the important French artist James Jacques Tissot.  The title is: Le Banc de jardin (The Garden Bench)   It was created and printed in 1883.  This was a rare first state impression prior to the lettering added at the bottom edge.  This work is pencil signed and inscribed as "1st state"  Also with the artists red stamp in the lower left.  Printed in a sepia toned ink the image measures 16 1/2X22 1/8 inches.  This image appears in the Wentworth catalogue as image 75 i/iii...  The subject was the great love of Tissot's life, Mrs. Kathleen Newton with her two children.  her daughter Violet, her niece Belle and her son Cecil seated on a bench in Tissot's garden in St. John's Wood London.  Probably conceived bbefore Kathleen Newton's tragic death at the age of only 28.  Tissot created a large oil painting of this subject after his return to Paris, distraught at the loss of his young friendship.  A very rich impression, fine condition apart from a small tear in the lower border area, unobtrusive.