Drawing, Henri Joseph Harpignies – Pau Castle.

Old pencil drawing on paper, bearing the signature Harpignies at the bottom of the work.
The composition depicts the entrance to the Château de Pau, rendered in perspective and bordered by houses, low walls, and fences. On the right, a façade with shutters occupies the foreground; in the center, the street leads toward a porch, beyond which trees and several rooftops of the Château de Pau can be seen.
The location is mentioned at the lower left.
The work is presented under glass in an antique frame made of gilded wood and stucco. It has a brown and dark-brown mat with a gilt fillet.
Henri Joseph Harpignies was born in Valenciennes in 1819 and died in Saint-Privé in 1916. A French draftsman and watercolorist, he was close to the 19th-century landscape tradition and associated with the Barbizon School.
He is particularly known for his landscapes, village views, paths, and rivers. A recognized artist during his lifetime, he received several awards at the Salon and at universal exhibitions, and was later elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour.
Dimensions:
Frame: 55 x 49 cm
Visible artwork: 17.5 x 12.5 cm
Condition:
The mat has a small tear and some stains. The frame shows old gilding touch-ups and a small area of loss. The drawing is in very good condition.