Animated View of the Champs-Élysées with the Chevaux de Marly
Original work on paper, likely mounted on board • André Sinet (French, 1867-1938)
Style & Movement
Belle Époque / Post-Impressionism with Academic leanings
Medium & Technique
Pastel on paper/board; employs atmospheric perspective, stumping, and linear strokes to suggest motion and hazy Parisian light.
Creation Period
1901 (dated lower left)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 75 cm (excluding frame); Landscape format
Subject Description
A view looking down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe, framed by the 'Chevaux de Marly' sculptures at the Place de la Concorde. The scene features horse-drawn carriages, early cyclists, and pedestrians, capturing the bustle of turn-of-the-century Paris under a soft, overcast sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; slight pigment darkening typical of age and potential minor foxing in the sky.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Provenance History
Acquired from a private collection; likely passed through French or European art trade. Artist signature 'André Sinet' and date 'Paris 1901' are clearly visible lower left.
Art Historical Significance
A quintessential Belle Époque piece by a recognized French petit-maître. Sinet is known for his atmospheric depictions of Paris and London, and this work serves as an important historical record of Parisian urban life before the dominance of the automobile.
Notable Features
Features the iconic Marly Horses (sculpted by Guillaume Coustou); the composition uses a strong central vanishing point that draws the eye through the haze to the distant Arc de Triomphe; housed in a high-quality Rococo-style gilded swept frame.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust under the glass; potential slight fading of delicate blues and pinks due to light exposure; frame shows minor gilt loss on ornate carvings.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is mounted behind UV-protective glass with a spacer to prevent pastel contact with the glazing; maintain a stable humidity environment to prevent paper rippling.
Collector Notes
ANDRE SINET (1867-1938) LARGE SIGNED and dated lower left 1901 PASTEL - PARIS FIGURES CHAMPS ELYSEES