Bruges Aquatint Appraisal

Julien Celos Color Aquatint of Bruges

This artwork is a color aquatint etching by the Belgian artist Julien Celos (1884-1964), depicting a scenic canal view in Bruges, Belgium. The composition features characteristic Flemish architecture with gabled roofs, a stone arched bridge reflecting in the water, and a church spire in the background. The piece is executed in a muted, tonalist palette dominated by earthy ochres, soft terracotta reds, and deep mossy greens. The hallmark of Celos's work is evident in the atmospheric lighting and slightly impressionistic rendering of the urban landscape. The print exhibits a visible plate mark surrounding the image area, typical of intaglio processes. It appears to be signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right margin, with a handwritten title 'Bruges' or a specific street location in the lower left. The paper shows signs of light age-toning and mild foxing, consistent with a mid-20th-century original print. It is housed in a simple, thin wooden frame which shows minor surface wear. The craftsmanship reflects high-quality Belgian printmaking from the early-to-mid 20th century, capturing the historic 'quaintness' sought by travelers and collectors of that era.