The Seine at Argenteuil (Le Bassin d'Argenteuil)
Replica Print/Novelty Stamp on paper • Original painting by Claude Monet (1840–1926); reproduction by unknown commercial printer
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography or digital printing on perforated paper
Creation Period
Original oil painting: 1872; Contemporary novelty reproduction: 21st century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 2.5 x 3.5 cm; Horizontal/Landscape format
Subject Description
A riverside landscape featuring the Seine river at Argenteuil, France. The composition includes a row of trees on the left bank, several sailboats moored or sailing on the water, and a bright blue sky filled with white cumulus clouds capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; a modern, uncancelled novelty item in pristine condition
Estimated Market Value
Less than $1.00 USD
Auction Estimate
Negligible; not typically sold as an individual lot in fine art auctions
Provenance History
Likely acquired as part of a museum gift shop set, craft kit, or collectible sticker sheet; no significant individual provenance
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is a seminal work from Monet's time in Argenteuil, where he developed the signature Impressionist style of broken brushwork and focus on light. This reproduction serves as a cultural artifact showing the mass-commercialization of high art through decorative ephemera.
Notable Features
Perforated edges mimicking a postage stamp, lacking postal denomination or country of origin, suggesting it is a decorative sticker or 'cinderella' stamp.
Condition Issues
None visible; paper edges are sharp and ink is vibrant
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a dry, dark place if preservation is desired, though the item is a mass-produced reproduction with low inherent value