Coast of Brittany (Les Côtes d'Armor)
Print on paper, likely a lithograph or etching with aquatint • Henri Georges Adam (French, 1904–1967)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / French School / Stylized Figurative Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Lithography; manual printing technique showing fine line work in the clouds and wash-like textures in the water. Signed and numbered in graphite.
Creation Period
1954
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 65 cm (image), landscape format
Subject Description
A coastal landscape of Brittany featuring a harbor scene. The composition includes several small rowing boats in the foreground, with larger vessels moored near a dark, structured jetty in the midground. The background shows a distant shoreline under a textured sky. The work captures the atmospheric, moody light of the French Atlantic coast.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; reflecting visible age-related changes and environmental impact.
Estimated Market Value
$600 - $1,200 USD
Auction Estimate
$400 - $800 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a European gallery or collection in the mid-20th century. Visible hand-signed signature 'Henri Georges Adam' and date '1954' in the lower right; edition numbering (visible as '15/50' or similar) in the lower left.
Art Historical Significance
Henri Georges Adam was a prominent French engraver and sculptor known for his monumental tapestries and abstract prints. This 1954 work represents his transition from surrealism into a more structured, almost architectural representation of nature, typical of the Post-War École de Paris.
Notable Features
Features the artist's characteristic use of deep blacks and fine, cross-hatched textures to create a sense of granite-like weight in the landscape, contrasting with the fluid treatment of the water.
Condition Issues
Significant acid burn/browning around the perimeter (mat burn) from non-archival framing materials. Visible light foxing spots in the sky area. Significant glass reflection in documentation suggests it is framed under non-UV protected glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires de-acidification treatment by a paper conservator to arrest the browning. Re-matting with 100% acid-free museum-grade rag board and glazing with UV-filtering Tru-Vue glass is highly recommended to prevent further fading.