Artist Bernard Buffet Appraisal

Notre Dame de Paris by Bernard Buffet

This artwork is a figurative lithograph by the acclaimed French Expressionist Bernard Buffet, depicting the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The piece showcases Buffet's signature style, characterized by stark, aggressive black outlines and a muted color palette dominated by greys, ochres, and pale greens. The composition features a vertical perspective of the Seine River with a bridge and a barge in the foreground, leading the eye to the architectural rendering of the cathedral. The execution utilizes sharp, spiky linework that conveys a sense of melancholy typical of the artist's post-war era works, likely dating from the mid-20th century (circa 1950s-1960s). It appears to be printed on off-white paper and is housed within a contemporary wooden frame with an off-white mat. A facsimile or hand-applied signature 'Bernard Buffet' followed by a date is visible in the lower right area. Visible condition issues include significant vertical creasing or rippling of the paper substrate, potentially from moisture exposure or improper mounting, and some faint yellowing consistent with age. There is a prominent light reflection on the glass, but the print itself retains good contrast in the black ink areas. The craftsmanship reflects high-quality mid-century printmaking, though a physical inspection would be required to determine if this is a limited-edition lithograph or a high-quality reproduction.