The Devil
Lithograph
1945
Signed and titled in pencil by the artist
From "Selected Tales of Guy de Maupassant," a portfolio of 20 lithographs, each based on a Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) short story.
Edition: 250, plus trial proofs
Printed on handmade paper by Lawrence Barrett (1897-1973), Colorado Springs, CO
Bibliography L&O 392
Honore Bontemps, too busy to attend his dying mother, hires old La Rapet to sit with her till she dies. She has a daily rate for doing this, but he forces her to agree to a fixed price no matter the number of days. Fearful that she will get the short end of the bargain, old La Rapet tells the old lady the devil story, then dresses up as the devil to frighten Mme. Bontemps to death. Honore figures he was cheated.
Faint stain along left edge of sheet, not affecting image
Sheet: 21 x 16 3/4"
Image:13 1/4 x 11 1/8"
FA7696
$600.