Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A delicate color etching and aquatint titled 'Au Piano,' featuring a woman in profile at a keyboard with the artist's signature Mid-Century Romantic style. This specific piece is an 'Epreuve d'artiste' (Artist's Proof), indicating it was one of the first impressions pulled from the plate for the artist's personal use or approval.
Story
Born in Bourbon-Lancy, France, Etienne Ret brought the soul of the Parisian avant-garde to California in the 1930s. His work often captures a quiet, melodic intimacy, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a private, sacred moment.
Maker / Origin
Etienne Ret was a celebrated painter and printmaker who studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He became a significant figure in the Southern California art scene, known for his ethereal, elongated figures that blend classical elegance with a modern, almost dreamlike sensibility.
Condition & Value
The print appears well-preserved within its frame, though there is visible water staining on the back cardboard which suggests the piece was stored in a humid environment. It is vital to check the print itself for 'foxing' (brown spots) or waviness; if the moisture reached the paper, the value would decrease by 50%.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.