The painting is in excellent condition.  Hand-signed by artist, stamped by artist’s estate, sticker label, strong, clear signature LR corner. Inscribed by artist on back with title, year and place. Artist stamp and collection label on back. Provenance: W.T.  Berger Co.  Frame included

Antoine Blanchard was born in France on November 15, 1910, in a small village near the banks of the Loire. He was the eldest of three children and his father, a carver, managed a small carpentry and furniture shop. Blanchard would watch his father hand carve the furniture and began to display an artistic flair early in life and in an effort to promote this talent, his parents sent him to Blois for drawing lessons. He continued his training in Rennes at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, where he studied sculpture and drawing. Upon completion of his studies, he was awarded the school’s highest award, Le Prix du Ministre. By 1932, he left Rennes and traveled to Paris to study. He enrolled at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and after a few1963years entered the competition for the Prix de Rome. It was in Paris that he developed a love for the city and its street life.

His method of using small brushstrokes, as in this painting, creates a blurred effect, giving the striking impression of movement.