Pair of Double-Sided 19th Century European Watercolours – Paris, Venice & Bois de Boulogne
A rare and charming pair of 19th century double-sided watercolour scenes, likely extracted from a travel sketchbook or album documenting a European grand tour. Each work features two detailed views – four in total – painted in watercolour with graphite underdrawing, and framed with their original hand-painted black watercolour borders.
One sheet presents a romantic winter scene in the Bois de Boulogne, where Parisians ice-skate beneath snow-dusted trees, while the reverse offers a striking view of the Bourse de Paris, bustling with life and horse-drawn carriages under the neoclassical colonnade. The second sheet captures a lively 19th century Parisian square dominated by the Tour Saint-Jacques, while the reverse transports the viewer to Venice, where a steam-powered paddleboat surges past the Doge’s Palace and Campanile. This maritime scene balances Venice’s historic elegance with industrial-era dynamism. These are not prints or copies, but finely executed original compositions — delicate, observational, and rich with architectural and social detail. The double-sided format and hand-painted borders confirm their origin in a portable sketchbook, likely intended for private reflection or presentation. Medium: Watercolour and graphite on paper Dimensions (each sheet): approximately 53 x 40 cms. Images vary in size. Condition: Minor wear and foxing consistent with age; black borders scuffed in places but original. Some mild discolouration and staining. Sold unframed for float mounting to display both sides. Provenance: French private collection A rare and poetic glimpse into 19th century European city life, travel, and visual culture.
