Crossing the Stream (The Stepping Stones)
Painting on panel • Eisman-Semenowsky, Emile (1857-1911)
Style & Movement
Academic Realism / Belle Époque Genre Painting
Medium & Technique
Oil on wood panel; precise academic style with fine glazing, controlled brushwork, and high detail in the costume rendering.
Creation Period
Late 19th Century (circa 1880-1890)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 45 x 25 cm (panel); vertical/tall rectangular format.
Subject Description
A fashionable young woman in late-Victorian attire, including a pink ruffled skirt, dark bodice, and floral-trimmed hat, carefully navigates stepping stones across a shallow stream. She holds a folded fan, and her gaze is directed downward in concentration. The composition uses the landscape as a decorative backdrop for the central figure's elegance.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint layer appears stable with vibrant pigment retention and original varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $12,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$6,000 - $9,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private European or American collection; artist nameplate present on the frame ('E. SEMENOWSKY'). Typical of works sold through Parisian or Polish art dealers in the late 19th century.
Art Historical Significance
Semenowsky was a highly successful Polish-born painter active in Paris, known for his idealized, decorative portraits of women. This work exemplifies the 'Belle Époque' taste for charm and technical virtuosity, bridging the gap between academic tradition and commercial decorative appeal.
Notable Features
Includes a highly ornate Gilt Rococo-style revival frame with a velvet-lined slip; brass artist nameplate attached to the lower frame rail.
Condition Issues
Minor surface grime; slight yellowing of varnish consistent with age; possible minor frame-rubbing along the edges of the panel.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light refresh of the dammar varnish if necessary; maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light.