Portrait of a man with moustache

Besides a gifted painter, Rops was best known as a remarkable draughtsman and engraver. His best-known work contains much social criticism and has a satirical and pornographic slant. From 1868, the artist stayed regularly in Paris and in 1874 (the year of our drawing) he went to live there. During his stay, Rops became a celebrated artist who was put on the same level as Honoré Daumier and illustrated works by Baudelaire (‘Les Fleurs du Mal’), among others.
Monogrammed "FR" left below, Black chalck
We are grateful to Mrs. Bernadette Bonnier for having confirmed the drawing as an original work by Félicien Rops.