Le hibou.

Etching, drypoint and aquatint, 44,4 x 32,8 cm, thick laid paper (Van Gelder) 51 x 35,5 cm, pencil signed and stamped (L.978) in lower margin (unobtrusive repaired tear at middle left margin).

Under passe-partout

4th state (of 4) of this frontispiece design made for a publication containing his work. The central frame depicts a large owl next to an open book standing in a dimly lit room. The owl's reflection has the profile of a bearded man. At the lower edge we read in large characters: Pauca Paucis. The top margin is filled by a huge full moon, a sillouette of a witch and birds flying around. On the left a lantern shines on the scene below; a man climbing a staircase and a coachman asleep in his seat. In the bottom margin sits an old woman dipping a long quill pen in a bottle. On the right we see a huge ship with seagulls above it.
Ref. Bourcard 161.4.