The Well (The Meeting at the Well)
Commercial reproduction / Framed print on paper • After Julien Dupré (1851–1910)
Style & Movement
Realism / Naturalist movement / Academic Art
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography or digital printing on a paper substrate
Creation Period
Original painting late 19th century (c. 1880-1890); this print late 20th century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches in a vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
A rural scene depicting a young man in a straw hat drawing water from a stone well while a young woman in traditional peasant attire (striped skirt, red cap) carries a ceramic pitcher, suggesting a romantic or social encounter.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (General decorative grade); appears stable within the frame
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD (suggesting high-volume decorative sale)
Provenance History
Mass-produced decorative print likely distributed through retail galleries or framing shops in the 1980s or 90s
Art Historical Significance
Julien Dupré was a celebrated member of the second generation of Realist painters; this image exemplifies the idealized pastoral life popular with the 19th-century French Salon audience.
Notable Features
Features a dual-tone decorative mat board and a slender metallic/gilt wood frame typical of late-century home decor.
Condition Issues
Possible light fading due to UV exposure; minor surface undulations; typical commercial grade framing materials
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading; consider using UV-protective glass if reframed