Jeanne Vanesse Appraisal

"Jeanne Vanesse" or "Jeanne Vanette" Engraving/Print

This item is an antique or vintage colored engraving or print, likely depicting a genre scene. The artwork features a young woman, possibly a flower seller or vendor, holding a bouquet of light-colored flowers, standing near the steps of a building. She is dressed in period attire, including a red top, a light blue apron, and a yellow skirt, topped with a red-brimmed cap. Beside her stands a grey donkey, laden with a large wicker basket filled with green produce or foliage. Inside the basket, a child wearing a dark hat and white collar is visible, holding white spherical objects, possibly eggs or small produce items. The background shows a street scene with buildings and hints of distant architecture. The print exhibits traditional engraving lines visible upon close inspection, with hand-coloring adding vibrant hues to the figures and their garments, contrasting with the more muted tones of the sky and buildings. The overall condition shows signs of age, including noticeable foxing (small brown spots) primarily in the margins, particularly on the top and right sides, and some general discoloration consistent with older paper. The edges of the paper appear slightly worn or deckled. There are two visible signatures in the bottom margin: one on the left, possibly "Jeanne Vanesse" or "Jeanne Vanette" (difficult to decipher definitively from the image), which could refer to the subject or a former owner, and another on the right, which is harder to read, potentially a printmaker's or artist's signature. The print is framed with multiple border lines in its design, indicative of a formal presentation style. The stylistic elements suggest a late 18th or early 19th-century European (likely French or English) origin, characterized by the pastoral/genre theme and the detailed, hand-colored engraving technique. The quality of the hand-coloring appears consistent, adding depth and warmth to the scene. The presence of foxing, while a condition issue, also serves as an indicator of its age.