Henri Joseph Harpignies - Charcoal Landscape - From The Collection Of Ch. Richon

The charcoal drawing depicts a landscape structured by several trees in the foreground, set against a succession of fields and hills. The sky plays a prominent role in the composition and unfolds in broad, sweeping strokes.
An old handwritten inscription on the reverse describes the circumstances under which the drawing was offered and selected from the artist.
"Harpignies offered me a charcoal drawing to choose from among five or six, so I asked him to guide my choice himself.
It was then that he said to me:
‘Take this one, then; the sky is more interesting.’
This account accompanies the work and indicates its direct provenance from Harpignies.
The date of execution is not specified.
However, the treatment of the charcoal and the freedom of the drawing suggest it was created later, around 1900–1915.
These dates are merely indicative.
Dimensions:

• Artwork dimensions: 22 x 14 cm
• Frame: 31 x 23 cm

Note: slight waviness in the paper and small spots (see photos)
The frame is new; I chose a metal frame with a wood-grain finish