Twilight (Original title: 'Le Crépuscule')
Print, specifically an Art Nouveau/Art Deco commercial lithograph, framed behind glass. • Louis Icart (1888–1950), a prominent French painter and illustrator famous for his 'Parisienne' subject matter.
Style & Movement
Art Deco / Art Nouveau. Known as the 'Icart' style, it combines glamour, romanticism, and neoclassical motifs with a 1920s aesthetic.
Medium & Technique
Color lithography on paper. The original painting (1926) was oil on canvas; this is a period-style mass-produced print featuring highly smooth gradients and vibrant commercial inks typical of early 20th-century illustration.
Creation Period
Circa 1920s–1930s (Style: Art Deco/Late Art Nouveau transition).
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 20 x 24 inches (including frame). Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
An idealized, blonde woman reclining in a semi-nude state atop a lavish bed or chaise. She is accompanied by a leopard, a frequent symbol of exoticism and power in Art Deco iconography. The composition features a large decorative shield with a winged figure at her feet, draped fabrics, and an urn in the background, set under a deep twilight blue sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There are visible reflections on the glass suggesting it is framed in a non-archival manner. The colors appear slightly muted, possibly from UV exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$100 – $300 (Value is for a vintage print/lithograph; original signed etchings by Icart can exceed $5,000, but mass-produced prints are lower.)
Auction Estimate
$75 – $250.
Provenance History
Likely a decorative home furnishing piece from the mid-20th century. No specific labels are visible, but such prints were widely distributed by art publishers in Paris and New York.
Art Historical Significance
Icart's work is iconic for capturing the spirit of 'Les Années Folles' (The Roaring Twenties). His work bridged the gap between fine art and commercial illustration, influencing fashion and interior design through the modern era.
Notable Features
Features the classic Icart 'sleekness' and the use of the leopard as a status symbol of the independent, 'modern' woman of the 1920s. The ornate gilded frame is typical of 'department store' fine art sales from the 1940s-60s.
Condition Issues
Visible glare and potential foxing behind the glass. The ornate frame shows some wear and dust. Possible fading of the blue and orange hues due to light exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend reframing with UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to prevent further yellowing or deterioration of the paper support. Avoid hanging in direct sunlight.