French Artist Prints Appraisal

Maisons de Stevenson, Diaz, Ch. Jaque, JF Millet a Barbizon

This item is an unframed print, likely an etching or lithograph, with hand-coloring, depicting a charming rural village scene. The print itself measures approximately 7-8 inches in height and 9-10 inches in width, set on a slightly larger sheet of cream-colored paper. The artwork captures a street in what appears to be a French village, characterized by classic European architecture with multi-story stone and timber-framed houses, some with tiled roofs, nestled amongst trees and shrubbery. In the foreground on the left, a large, leafy tree frames the scene, with what appears to be a wooden fence or stone wall below. Figures, likely villagers, are visible on the left side of the street and centrally in the composition, adding a sense of scale and life to the landscape. The sky is depicted with soft, cloudy tones. The colors used are generally muted, with greens for foliage, browns and grays for structures, and hints of lighter colors for clothing. The print exhibits fine lines characteristic of an etching, with watercolor or pastel hand-coloring applied over the monochrome base to create the delicate hues. The original paper appears to be in good condition, with no overt tears or significant creases visible, although some slight discoloration or foxing consistent with age might be present upon closer inspection. The bottom margin of the print contains handwritten or printed inscriptions. On the bottom left, the title reads 'Maisons de Stevenson, Diaz, Ch. Jaque, JF Millet a Barbizon', indicating the specific locations and possibly artists or figures associated with the setting. On the bottom right, the inscription 'Fasano' is visible, possibly identifying the publisher, printer, or a related party. Additionally, the number '75' is present in the lower right, which could denote a print number in an edition or a year. The overall aesthetic suggests a 19th or early 20th-century style, reminiscent of Barbizon school landscapes due to the pastoral setting and the mention of Millet. The craftsmanship is evident in the detailed linework and the subtle application of color, suggesting a high-quality print production.