Parisian Street Scene / Place du Tertre with Sacré-Cœur
Original drawing/painting on paper • Signature suggests it is by or in the manner of 'Cagliani' (likely the Italian-French artist Antonio Cagliani, 1900-1975)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Belle Époque Revival style; characterized by gestural, shorthand rendering of figures and architecture
Medium & Technique
Pastel, charcoal, and gouache on paper; mixed media with rapid linear sketching and heavy application of pigment
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950-1970)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12x16 inches (visible); landscape format
Subject Description
A bustling Parisian street scene featuring figures in late 19th-century attire, with the dome of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica visible in the background. The composition uses a centralized vanishing point and high-contrast color blocks to suggest movement and urban atmosphere.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; colors appear vibrant through glass, with original paper texture intact. Frame shows minor gilding wear.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 (depending on verification of original versus print status)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $800
Provenance History
Likely acquired via mid-century decorative art galleries or as a souvenir from a Parisian studio; no specific exhibition labels visible on the front.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of mid-century Parisian 'School of Paris' nostalgia, capturing the mid-1900s obsession with the Romanticized Belle Époque era.
Notable Features
Bold signature 'CAGLIANI' in the lower right; distinct use of vertical lines for lamp posts and expressive, almost calligraphic treatment of the street advertisements/text.
Condition Issues
Possible minor paper discoloration at the edges (mat burn) and slight undulation/buckling of the paper beneath the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Verify that the matting is acid-free; ensure the work is framed under UV-protective glass as pastels are highly sensitive to light and smudging.