About the Artist
Eugene Blery
Eugene Blery (1805-1887) was a French engraver. He worked directly from nature or from his own drawings; his landscapes and tree portraits belonging to Barbizon naturalism. He also produced many closely focused botanical studies gracefully composed with an acute realization of species.
Blery is one of the first artists to bring the technique of etching back from the dustbin of history in France. While engraving directly with the burin had been regarded as the superior printmaking technique, Blery rediscovered the richness of textures provided by etching. Distancing himself from the family trade of architecture and engineering at an early age, Blery was able, thanks to some private patrons and a subscription to his etching to live from his art. Almost solely focused on landscapes, flowers and plants, he is one of the first artists to draw directly in nature. His pencil drawings are extremely fine and delicate. His etchings, worked to perfection in many states, were all printed by him, generally on luminous chine-colle.
