Les Adieux (Planche II)
Print, specifically a hand-colored engraving or etching on paper • After a work traditionally associated with French 18th-century printmakers (such as Philibert-Louis Debucourt or similar artists of the period); publisher mark indicates later distribution by 'Coutdole Frere / Arts Inc., N.Y.C.'
Style & Movement
Rococo / Neoclassical genre print (French 18th-century style)
Medium & Technique
Engraving/Etching with hand-coloring on laid or wove paper
Creation Period
Late 18th century (original composition c. 1770s-1780s), likely a 19th or early 20th-century reproduction/re-strike
Dimensions & Format
Medium format rectangular print, approximately 12 x 15 inches for the image window within a standard decorative gilt frame measuring roughly 18 x 22 inches
Subject Description
A refined interior scene depicting a fashionable aristocratic woman in an elaborate yellow and floral-patterned gown saying goodbye ('Les Adieux') in a doorway, surrounded by attendants or companions in period 18th-century attire. The composition reflects the elegance, fashion, and social customs of the Ancien Régime.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper exhibits noticeable age-related toning (yellowing/acid migration) on both the print margins and the matting, but the image area retains clear lines and vibrant hand-colored pigments.
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300
Auction Estimate
$80 - $150
Provenance History
Published or distributed by Coutdole Frere / Arts Inc., N.Y.C. (as indicated by the upper margin inscription). Acquired through the secondary decorative art market, likely mid-20th century framing.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the popular 18th-century French genre of polite society prints, which were widely collected and later reproduced in the 19th and 20th centuries for interior decoration and historical appreciation.
Notable Features
Includes the printed title 'LES ADIEUX' and 'PLANCHE II' centered below the image, along with the upper publisher inscription 'Published by Coutdole Frere / Arts Inc., N.Y.C.' enclosed in a period-style gilt frame with visible toning.
Condition Issues
Acid burn and toning from the matting board, minor dust trapped under the glass, and mild wear to the outer gilded wooden frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend reframing with acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glazing to prevent further light degradation and acid migration. Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity.