Auguste Raffet, Paysans Russes (Contreforts d’Asie), Lithograph, 1830s

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Lithograph on wove paper, realized between 1837 and 1845. Signed in the plate. Mild foxing in the margins and light … Read more Lithograph on wove paper, realized between 1837 and 1845. Signed in the plate. Mild foxing in the margins and light edge toning; image field crisp, rich in tonal contrast and well preserved; verso clean. This lithograph by Auguste Raffet portrays a group of Russian peasants gathered in conversation in front of a low-roofed building, likely in the Asiatic foothills of the Caucasus. The men are shown in traditional long tunics (rubakha), wide trousers and bast shoes, with expressive faces and varied stances suggesting the artist’s keen observational eye. Raffet’s ability to imbue ethnographic subjects with dignity and individuality is a hallmark of his work from the 1830s–1840s, when he travelled extensively in the Russian Empire documenting military and civilian life. This composition combines documentary accuracy with a quiet romanticism typical of 19th-century French Orientalist and ethnographic art. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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