L'Estampe Moderne 1897 Original Fine Art Stone Lithograph "L'Illusion" (The Illusion) by Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, Signed in the Stone, edition of 2000 Antique original 1897 multi-color stone lithograph ? Not a copy or a modern reprint Henri Bellery-Desfontaines, 1867 - 1909 Henri Bellery-Desfontaines was a French Art Nouveau painter, decorator and illustrator renowned for his posters, lithographs, tapestries, furniture, bank note designs, typography, and other works of decorative arts. L?Estampe Moderne (Modern Print): was a French monthly publication published between May 1897 and April 1899, which proposed 4 original lithographs in each of its issues. The aim was to promote the art of printmaking by commissioning images from noted Art Nouveau artists, such as Alphonse Mucha, Louis Rhead, Marcel-Lenoir, Henri Boutet, Henri Fantin-Latour, Edward Burne-Jones and Theophile Steinlen. On the introductory prospectus, the first issue is announced at the price of 3.50 francs, for 4 unpublished prints in color, which puts the engraving at less than one franc piece. The annual subscription was 40 francs and the subscriber received two "premium plates" (the first was designed by Alfons Mucha). The first four plates are: Women of Riff of Girardot, Merchant laces of Malteste, Fall of Menard and Corinne of Realier-Dumas. Each engraving was presented in a portfolio folder on which print references were printed and a generally poetic text related to the motif. On each print, unsigned by hand, however, was affixed a colorless dry stamp of authentication representing a head disheveled child. The dimensions are 26.6 cm x 33.4 cm and the paper is a vellum. The circulation was 2,000 copies in current edition and 150 copies on Japan. There were a total of 24 issues, or 96 plates, not including the 6 "premium" plates for subscribers. ? These prints are much sought after in the current art world. ?