Auguste Raffet, A Task on Yalta Beach, 1800s, Lithograph

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Lithograph on wove paper. Signed and dated in the plate. Image dimension: 19x33 cm. This finely executed lithograph by Auguste … Read more Lithograph on wove paper. Signed and dated in the plate. Image dimension: 19x33 cm. This finely executed lithograph by Auguste Raffet depicts a vivid coastal scene on the shores of Yalta, where figures labor to gather and transport driftwood along the beach. An ox-drawn cart, central to the composition, anchors the dynamic rhythm of human activity against the backdrop of calm sea and mountainous landscape. The work captures both the dignity of rural toil and the grandeur of Crimea’s natural scenery, a subject Raffet often returned to in his travels and illustrations. Printed in 1843, this sheet belongs to the celebrated series of Raffet’s Crimean views, which combined documentary precision with a romantic sensibility, appealing to the 19th-century taste for exotic and picturesque locales. The present impression shows the delicate tonal gradations characteristic of Raffet’s hand, with subtle atmospheric effects achieved through masterful lithographic shading. Some scattered foxing throughout the margins, typical of the period, with light handling creases. Image itself remains fresh and well-defined. Wide margins preserved. 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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