Harbor View (Boats at Dusk)
Print on paper, likely a lithograph or serigraph • Urbain Huchet (French, 1930–2014)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / French School of Paris (post-war abstraction)
Medium & Technique
Color lithography; utilized layered ink applications to create texture and depth, mimicking painterly brushstrokes through planographic printing
Creation Period
Circa 1960-1975
Dimensions & Format
Landscape format; approximately 18 x 24 inches for the image area (estimated within frame)
Subject Description
A semi-abstract harbor scene featuring small boats or dories moored in calm water. The composition uses a dark, moody palette of deep blues and blacks, punctuated by vibrant orange-red highlights reflecting on the water's surface. The forms are suggestive rather than literal, capturing the atmosphere of a port at twilight.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible age-related mat burn and slight yellowing of the paper margins within the frame
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Numbered '86/200' and signed in pencil in the lower margin. Likely purchased from a commercial gallery or art dealer specializing in European prints in the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Huchet was a prolific member of the contemporary French school known for his landscapes of Brittany and maritime themes. This work illustrates the transition between representational scenery and post-war expressive abstraction, emphasizing mood through color theory.
Notable Features
Numbered edition 86 out of 200; authenticates the work as a limited edition original print; features the characteristic fluid pencil signature of the artist in the lower right.
Condition Issues
Possible light-induced fading; minor paper acidity evidenced by the darkening of the margins (mat burn); surface dust behind the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend deframing and remounting using acid-free, archival-quality matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further discoloration of the paper and fading of the blues.