September Morn (Matin de Septembre)
Print, likely a photogravure or lithographic reproduction on paper • After Paul Émile Chabas (1869–1937)
Style & Movement
Academic Classicism / Belle Époque
Medium & Technique
Mechanical reproduction of an oil painting; features smooth tonal transitions and soft focus characteristic of early 20th-century mass-market prints
Creation Period
Original painting 1912; this print likely circa 1915–1930
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 12 inches (image size); vertical portrait format within a matted frame
Subject Description
A young nude woman stands ankle-deep in the chilly morning waters of Lake Annecy, France. She adopts a modest 'Venus Pudica' pose, clutching her arms across her body. The composition focuses on the play of light on the skin and the serene, hazy landscape background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible waving of the paper suggest moisture damage or improper mounting
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80
Provenance History
Likely a residential decorative object; 'September Morn' was a sensation in the 1910s and millions of prints were sold in the US after a successful obscenity trial in Chicago.
Art Historical Significance
The image is one of the most famous examples of a 'succes de scandale' in art history. While the original won a gold medal at the 1912 Paris Salon, it became a cultural phenomenon in the US due to censorship efforts by Anthony Comstock, which inadvertently made it an icon of early 20th-century pop culture.
Notable Features
The print lacks the fine detail of the original oil painting, confirming it as a commercial reproduction. It features the classic 'pudica' gesture and the bobbed hair style popular during the era of its height in popularity.
Condition Issues
Pronounced bucking/waving of the paper carrier (cockling) on the left side; potential silvering or fading of the ink; acid burn likely from non-archival matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from current acidic matting; flattening by a paper conservator; re-frame using UV-protective glass and acid-free archival materials to prevent further yellowing.
Collector Notes
In purchased house