Notre-Dame et Pont de l’Archevêché, c. 1950s — A. Krafft

Original mid-century watercolour on paper, signed lower left “A. Krafft,” in its original Norwegian oak frame (30 × 38 cm with frame).

Rediscovered in Norway, this mid-century watercolour by André Krafft captures a tranquil view of Notre-Dame and the Pont de l’Archevêché — a quiet Parisian moment rendered in soft washes of blue, green, and ochre. Painted in the 1950s, it shows Krafft’s balance of architectural precision and atmosphere.

The work remains in its original Norwegian oak frame by O. Skovsrud (Oslo, est. 1894). On the reverse, a faint handwritten inscription reads “Grumeren 1952” — likely a former owner or framer’s notation, offering a subtle trace of its early Scandinavian provenance.

Comparable Paris river scenes by Krafft appear occasionally in European auctions; this example stands out for its condition, original framing, and intact surface — a one-of-one survivor of its era.

Medium: Watercolour on paper
Signature: “A. Krafft,” lower left
Artwork size: approx. 28 × 38 cm
Framed size: approx. 30 × 38 cm
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural paper patina; original frame intact