Vintage Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop Framed Print

Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop is one of two stories that appeared as a series in a weekly periodical that Dickens published between 1840 and 1841. It is a Victorian story that is apparently still enjoyed today though I must admit I have not read it.

The main character, Nell, lives in a gloomy old curiosity shop with her elderly grandfather. When they cannot pay their bills to a nasty money lender, the shop is taken from them and they find themselves in a dark world with no safe place to go.

The story was a bestseller instantly despite being criticized as too sentimental. Queen Victoria read it and found it "very interesting and cleverly written." Indeed, it is said to have been so popular that fans in New York swarmed the wharf when the last installment of the story arrived.

Have you read The Old Curiosity Shop? Are you a Dickens fan? A traveler who loves England perhaps?

Shown here is the framed print by Cecil Forbes, which you can find in my eBay shop by clicking right here. 

See you

at the bookstore!

Brenda

Canadian Artist Claude Le Sauteur (1926-2007)

This year I discovered or rather expanded on my interest in art. While I have always been generally interested and have had the opportunity to visit art galleries around the world, my focus spilled over into my eBay store when I had the opportunity to buy and resell a few interesting pieces of Canadian art. I subsequently took the opportunity to learn more about art in general by enrolling in a couple of art classes through Carleton University's Learning in Retirement program.

Most recently I found this limited edition signed print by Quebec artist Claude Le Sauteur (1926-2007). His work can be both figurative and abstract in style as I think is the case with this picture, which is called DONATE and I expect related to Le Sauteur's social consciousness. The image features both a male and female violinist portrayed in a definitely abstract way.

In the 1940s, Le Sauteur studied at L’École des beaux-arts de Québec and his lifetime's work included pieces oil on canvas, oil pastel, charcoal on paper and engravings.  He  received both the National Order of Quebec and the National Order of Canada and he was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.    According to The Order of Quebec website, his works appeared in 13 solo exhibits and more than 80 group exhibitions and today, his works are held in various museums and important collections.

As I write this post, a quick peek at eBay by following this link shows a couple of Claude Le Sauteur's paintings available on eBay. Because of the framed size, my limited edition print, shown above, will be posted locally here in Ottawa on a couple of resale sites. Hopefully, it will eventually find its way into the collection of someone who appreciates the work of Le Sauteur.

As in my previous art-themed post, I will add here that I am not an art expert. What I share here is from research that has been done online and I am always wanting and willing to learn more.

Until next time,
Brenda

Quick Links:

Claude Le Sauteur Paintings on eBay.
Art in my eBay store.