Nice, La Plage et l'Hôtel Negresco
Print (limited edition lithograph on heavy paper) • Henri Plisson (American, 1934–2006)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Impressionism (Post-Impressionism style revival)
Medium & Technique
Lithography using a planographic process with multiple color stones or plates, designed to mimic the artist's original painterly, impasto-heavy aesthetic.
Creation Period
Late 20th century (Original painting significantly earlier, mid-20th century)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches (image size); horizontal landscape format.
Subject Description
A bustling scene of the beach at Nice, France, featuring the iconic dome of the Hotel Negresco and the Promenade des Anglais in the background. The foreground is densely populated with figures in beach attire under colorful parasols, rendered with broken color and light-filled atmosphere characteristic of the French Riviera.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; housed under glass which has protected the ink from surface abrasion, though slight mat burn or fading from UV exposure is possible long-term.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $500 USD (based on retail gallery prices for Plisson lithographs)
Auction Estimate
$50 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a commercial gallery or high-end decor retailer in the late 20th century; features a signature in the lower right and numbering in the lower left characteristic of limited edition fine art prints.
Art Historical Significance
Plisson, born Patrick Henry, was a prominent American practitioner of modern impressionism. This work is significant as part of his popular series of European coastal scenes which bridged the gap between traditional 19th-century French Impressionism and 20th-century American decorative fine art.
Notable Features
Includes a graphite signature in the lower right margin; the composition utilizes a high horizon line to emphasize the density of the social activity on the sand, a common trope in mid-century leisure painting.
Condition Issues
Visible reflection in glass suggests the print may not be mounted on acid-free backing; potential for minor yellowing of the paper margins (foxing) not visible through the current frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend reframing with UV-protective museum glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent further color fading and 'acid burn' from the current wood-pulp mat.