Claude Lorrain Etching Appraisal

Late 18th to Early 19th Century Hand-Colored Landscape Etching after Claude Lorrain

A professionally framed and matted hand-colored etching or engraving, likely an 18th or 19th-century reproduction of a Classical landscape painting by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée). The artwork depicts a pastoral scene featuring a body of water with three figures in a small rowboat in the foreground. Towering, artistically rendered deciduous trees dominate the right side of the composition, framed by a soft, atmospheric sky. In the middle ground, there are subtle hints of figures or cattle near the shore. The coloring is applied in soft washes of green, ochre, blue, and sienna, which is characteristic of the period's hand-tinting techniques. The plate mark is clearly visible, surrounding the central image, followed by a margin containing an engraved title and attribution text in cursive script. The piece is housed in an ornate gilded wood frame with a linen-textured mat and a secondary beaded or colored fillet accent. Regarding condition, there is a prominent brown tide line at the center bottom of the mat, indicating past moisture exposure. The paper shows moderate yellowing or 'toning' consistent with age, and a faint vertical crease or fold line is visible through the center of the image area. The craftsmanship of the engraving demonstrates fine stipple and line work, providing depth and texture to the foliage and water.