The Broken Pitcher (La Cruche Cassée)
Print on paper, likely a photogravure or tinted lithograph • After Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725–1805)
Style & Movement
Rococo / Neoclassicism (original style) via Late Victorian reproduction
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print process (lithography or photogravure) with monochrome or sepia-toned ink on paper
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century reproduction
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches; Oval format in a portrait orientation
Subject Description
A young girl stands holding flowers in her apron with a cracked water pitcher slung over her arm. The imagery is a famous allegory for lost virginity, popular in 18th-century French genre painting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; exhibiting significant age-related fading and yellowing
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Likely a mass-produced decorative print for the domestic market; no specific labels visible in image
Art Historical Significance
Based on one of Greuze’s most famous works (1771, now in the Louvre), this print reflects the enduring popularity of 'sentimental' 18th-century French art in the late 19th century.
Notable Features
Period-appropriate oval gilded frame with beaded detailing; the image is a mirrored or slightly cropped version of the original Greuze composition typical of commercial prints.
Condition Issues
Visible fading (loss of contrast), yellowing of paper (acidification), and minor chips/gilt loss on the frame
Conservation Recommendations
Should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading; consider re-mounting with acid-free materials if preserved for sentimental value