19th-Century Romantic Engraving "Le Départ Des Hirondelles" - 33½" x 26¾"

This exquisite 19th-century engraving, titled Le départ des hirondelles ("The Departure of the Swallows"), after a painting by François-Claudius Compte-Calix, beautifully embodies the romantic spirit of the era. Housed in a timeworn gilded frame, the piece captures a serene moment of introspection in a lush natural setting. A finely dressed woman is portrayed in quiet contemplation, surrounded by greenery, as the engraving evokes the melancholy charm of swallows departing with the onset of autumn—a poetic symbol of transience and longing. Though the frame bears signs of age, including chips and surface wear, these imperfections only enhance its charming antique character.