Well-listed French Artist Antoine CALBET (1860-1944) is most collected for his Impressionist-feeling nudes in interiors. This stunning pair (2) show him at his best, both in the composition and his freedom of line and shade. While we can see they are watercolors, you can also see the outer indentation on the 100% cotton rag paper, indicating they are pulled from an intaglio plate. It does, however, seem to be just a paper manipulation because the conte, charcoal and watercolor is not a zinc plate work of printmaking. Additionally, were they prints the artist would have numbers noting the print and the pull (print 3 of 200, for instance would display 3/200). Additionally, I was unable to find duplicates of either painting in a broad research of his works, further indicating they are one-of-a-kind paintings. Calbet lived 84 years, and based on the beautiful looseness in his work into his 50s to 60s, one might date these c. 1900-1920. To review values of Calbet's works, I have added several reference pages at the end of our listing. The frames are not original to the watercolors, and yet display them beautifully. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, no foxing, no damage to either painting. Cover glass on each, no chips. The frames are, as noted, relatively new but make a fine containment for the artworks. Each is hand signed by the artist and a name for each is noted bottom center of the work (see images). I can see a small surface chip on one frame, revealing white beneath the gold finish.
