Paris Street Scene with Arc de Triomphe and Café de Colisée
Watercolor and ink painting on paper • Signed 'Maurice Legendre' (French, 20th century school)
Style & Movement
Mid-century French impressionistic urban landscape / École de Paris style
Medium & Technique
Watercolor, gouache, and ink wash utilizing loose, expressive brushstrokes and wet-in-wet techniques
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century, circa 1950s - 1970s
Dimensions & Format
Horizontal rectangular format, approximately 12 x 18 inches (sight size)
Subject Description
A bustling Parisian street scene featuring café tables with colorful awnings under the sign 'COLISÉE', pedestrians walking along the boulevard, and the Arc de Triomphe visible in the distance under a pale sky
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair. The paper exhibits noticeable overall toning, yellowing, acid burn from the matting, and creasing or wrinkling near the upper left quadrant
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Acquired through the secondary art market or estate sale; likely purchased as a souvenir or decorative piece from a Parisian gallery during the mid-20th century
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-20th-century commercial and tourist-oriented Parisian street scenes that captured the romanticism and vibrant atmosphere of the city for international collectors
Notable Features
The prominent red 'COLISÉE' signage and the recognizable silhouette of the Arc de Triomphe anchored within a gestural, impressionistic wash technique
Condition Issues
Severe acidic mat burn creating dark staining around the perimeter, paper buckling/creasing in the upper left, potential fading of fugitive watercolor pigments due to light exposure
Conservation Recommendations
Professional conservation including humidification to flatten creases, careful deacidification of the paper support, and rematting with archival, acid-free museum-grade materials