The Farewell (or The Encounter)
Monochromatic lithograph on paper • Circle of Alexandre Cabanel or Thomas Dicksee (Academicism)
Style & Movement
Academicism / Orientalism / Victorian Classicism
Medium & Technique
Lithography with possible hand-tinting or sepia wash; technique involves fine tonal gradation through stippling and smooth chalk application to mimic the appearance of a painting.
Creation Period
Late 19th Century (circa 1880-1900)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 28 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A sentimental narrative scene depicting a man and woman in an intimate embrace, possibly a biblical or romantic literary theme (such as Jacob and Rachel or a colonial farewell). A third figure stands to the right, heavily draped, holding a bundle, set against an arid, hilly landscape with a prickly pear cactus on the left, emphasizing a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible surface abrasions and notable reflections suggesting the work is behind damaged or non-archival glass.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely a high-quality reproduction intended for middle-class domestic display in the late Victorian era; no specific labels visible, but typical of prints sold by Goupil & Cie or similar European print dealers.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrative of the 19th-century taste for 'Orientalist' romanticism and the democratization of art through high-end printmaking. It reflects the period's interest in theatrical lighting and idealized human emotion within exoticized geographic contexts.
Notable Features
The use of 'Orientalist' botanical elements (cacti) combined with Western Academic figure drawing; the sophisticated use of chiaroscuro to emphasize the central couple's emotional connection.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches across the image area, potential light foxing in the sky, and significant glare/haze from the protective glass cover. Evidence of slight yellowing consistent with acidic paper aging.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from current frame to assess paper acidity, replace with acid-free matting, and utilize UV-protective museum glass. Light surface cleaning by a paper conservator may be required.