Antique engraving Oran La France Illustrée Malte-Brun vintage art deco

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This antique engraving, titled "ORAN," is taken from the work "La France Illustrée" by V.-A. Malte-Brun, as indicated in the header. The black and white illustration presents a detailed panoramic view of the city of Oran, with its port, quays, urban buildings, and port infrastructure visible in the foreground. The whole is distinguished by the fine lines, typical of 19th-century engravings, highlighting the depth of field and the architectural richness of the city at that time.

The top of the sheet clearly mentions "LA FRANCE ILLUSTRÉE" as well as the author's name, "PAR V.-A. MALTE-BRUN," accompanied by a central coat of arms. In the bottom left, the numbering "100. – Oran." is visible, while the center simply states "ORAN" in capitals, emphasizing the subject of the engraving.

The paper has a slightly patinated cream tone, characteristic of old prints, with a regular margin around the image. No frame or mount is visible in this photo: the engraving is simply placed on a wooden desk, in a warm old library atmosphere, which highlights its historical and decorative character.

The technique used is paper engraving, recognizable by the precision of the rendering and the visual texture specific to 19th-century illustration processes. No major defects are visible on the presented side (no noticeable stains, tears, or creases on the illustrated surface or the margin). The details of the port, ships, and buildings are clear, offering an urban scene of great graphic richness.

This authentic print, with its retro and decorative style, can be suitable for many uses in wall decoration, particularly in an office, library, or a vintage-inspired interior. It elegantly illustrates the urban and maritime history of Oran as imagined by illustrators of the late 19th century.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The face visible in the photo shows no major apparent defects. Some authenticity marks related to age may remain.

Did you know? Victor Adolphe Malte-Brun (1816-1889) was a renowned French geographer and journalist. His work "La France Illustrée" was published in the 1880s and gathered highly precise engravings, offering a valuable urban and regional iconography for the history of French territory and its former colonies.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: antique Oran engraving, 19th century print, La France Illustrée Malte-Brun, retro city view, vintage illustration, historical wall decor, antique graphic art, antique France print, old map Oran, decorative print, Oran port illustration, retro decor engraving