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

Rediscovered in Norway, this original mid-century watercolour by André Krafft captures a tranquil view of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Pont de l’Archevêché — one of Paris’s most poetic scenes. Painted in the 1950s, the work exemplifies Krafft’s delicate command of light and urban intimacy, a hallmark that earned him recognition among European collectors of post-war art.

Its authenticity is evidenced in every detail: the artist’s hand-signed “A. Krafft” in ink, the aged paper with natural patina, and its preservation within the original Norwegian oak frame by O. Skovsrud of Oslo. On the reverse, a faint handwritten note — “Emanuelsen 1952” — suggests its early Scandinavian ownership, a quiet trace of its post-war journey from France to Northern Europe.

Only a handful of comparable works by Krafft have appeared in UK and continental auctions, often smaller in size or later in execution. This example, with its full tonal range, early signature, and intact framing, represents a superior and highly collectible piece — an authentic mid-century European artwork rather than a reproduction.

Today, it stands as both artwork and artifact: a serene testament to 1950s Parisian beauty, preserved in remarkable condition. Having remained privately held in Norway for decades, it now re-emerges on the market through Gem Exploring Private Collection, available to collectors who recognize the enduring value of cultural authenticity and quiet elegance.