France · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Very good condition with vibrant original color and a crisp impression. Marginal toning consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No significant blemishes.
Antique French Architectural Print Villa Marguerite à Houlgate by Chabat c.1900
This antique architectural print, titled Villa Marguerite à Houlgate, depicts the design of a seaside villa in Normandy by architect E.M. Auburtin. The plate (Pl. XXV, 2e Série) originates from Pierre Chabat’s important series *La Brique et la Terre Cuite* (The Brick and Terracotta), published in the late 19th century to around 1900.
The lithograph shows a striking elevation of the villa, viewed from the seaside. The design harmonizes brick and terracotta ornamentation with the romantic character of a coastal retreat. Notable details include the steep slate roof with decorative finials, elaborate balconies, ornate wooden trim, and polychrome brick accents framing the windows and corners. The villa is elevated on a stone foundation with a protective seawall, reinforcing its prominent placement on the shoreline.
E.M. Auburtin, the villa’s architect, is here presented through Chabat’s series alongside other French practitioners who embraced the artistic and structural potential of brick and terracotta. Pierre Chabat (1827–1892), a French architect and professor, devoted much of his work to documenting and celebrating architectural ornament and construction, with *La Brique et la Terre Cuite* serving as both a technical resource and a decorative art publication.
This plate is not only a testament to the elegance of Belle Époque seaside villas but also to the importance of Normandy as a fashionable retreat for the French elite during the late 19th century. Collectors of architectural prints, admirers of coastal design, and those with an interest in French decorative arts will find this work especially appealing.
Condition report: Very good condition with vibrant original color and a crisp impression. Marginal toning consistent with age. Plate mark visible. No significant blemishes.
Framing tips: Best displayed in a gilt or walnut frame with an ivory or cream mat to emphasize the color details of the brickwork. A thin blue or green inner mount could echo the seaside setting and enhance the villa’s decorative elements.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Pierre Chabat, after designs by E.M. Auburtin, France, c.1900
