Lithographie de Bernard Buffet - Urban Street Scene

This item is a black and white lithograph print attributed to the renowned French Expressionist artist Bernard Buffet. Typical of Buffet’s mid-20th-century style, the composition features a stark, desolate street scene characterized by his signature 'miserabilist' aesthetic. The work is defined by strong, angular black lines and a heavy use of cross-hatching to create depth and texture in the architectural forms. The perspective draws the eye down a quiet urban corridor flanked by tall, narrow buildings with rectangular windows. The print is executed on paper and is presented in a dark, possibly black or dark wood frame under glass. The color palette is monochromatic, relying on high contrast between the ink and the paper substrate. Notable craftsmanship is visible in the deliberate, scratchy linework that conveys a sense of post-war melancholy. While the specific title isn't visible, Buffet frequently explored vacant Parisian streets and provincial landscapes. The condition appears fair, though the image quality suggests some potential foxing or yellowing of the paper and possible reflections on the glass. There is a visible margin between the print and the frame edge where a signature or edition number would typically be located, though they are obscured in this photograph. This style suggests a production date between the late 1950s and 1970s.

I have conducted a visual analysis of this black and white lithograph attributed to Bernard Buffet. The work exhibits the artist's hallmark 'miserabilist' style, characterized by stark, jagged line work and an atmosphere of post-war existential isolation. This specific urban corridor composition is consistent with his architectural series produced between the late 1950s and 1970s. Based on the provided imagery, the print appears to be a legitimate lithograph, likely from a medium-to-large edition. The condition is noted as fair; however, there is visible evidence of paper oxidation and potential foxing, which suggests historical exposure to humidity or acidic mounting materials. The absence of a visible signature or edition number in the margins—possibly obscured by the matting—is the primary driver for the conservative valuation. The market for Buffet's prints remains stable, with high demand for his signed, limited edition lithographs (which frequently fetch $1,500-$3,000). However, unsigned prints or those from open editions, such as those published by Mourlot, typically trade in the mid-hundreds. Verification Disclaimer: This appraisal is based strictly on photographic evidence. A definitive authentication requires an in-person physical inspection to verify paper watermarks (such as Arches or Rives), ink absorption, and the presence of a pencil signature versus a plate signature. I strongly recommend removing the piece from the frame to inspect the substrate for 'burning' from the wood backing and to confirm the presence of edition numbering. Provenance documentation or a catalogue raisonné cross-reference would be required to elevate this valuation to the high-end secondary market tier.