Alby-sur-Chéran 1864 France Haute-Savoie Lithograph Félix Benoist Alps

Description

Alby-sur-Chéran in Haute-Savoie France is depicted in this antique lithograph dating from circa 1864. Based on a composition by Félix Benoist, the view brings together the village, its stone bridge and the river gorge within a detailed landscape. It comes from the series Nice et Savoie.

Alby-sur-Chéran and its bridge

The bridge is a central feature of the composition. Its stone arch spans the river between steep banks, connecting the built-up parts of the village. The contrast between the solid masonry and the open space beneath the arch gives the crossing a strong presence.

Buildings stand close to the edge of the gorge. Their roofs, walls and varied positions create a picturesque arrangement above the water. The view shows how the village architecture follows the contours of its setting, with houses gathered around the crossing.

The river provides a visual route through the composition. Its lighter surface contrasts with the darker rocks, vegetation and shaded areas beneath the buildings. Together, these elements establish the depth of the gorge and the height of the bridge.

Village architecture and landscape

The interest of this Alby-sur-Chéran view extends beyond the bridge itself. The closely grouped houses offer a detailed representation of a Savoy village in the nineteenth century. Their irregular arrangement creates a varied outline against the surrounding landscape.

The buildings form part of the scenery rather than standing apart from it. Rocky slopes and vegetation frame the architecture, while the more distant landscape opens the composition beyond the village.

Small figures near the river introduce a human presence and help convey the scale of the site. Their inclusion brings life to the view without distracting from its principal architectural and landscape features.

The result is a composition that can be enjoyed both as a topographical image and as a decorative print. Close viewing reveals individual details, while the overall arrangement retains a clear sense of place.

Félix Benoist and Nice et Savoie

The lithograph reproduces a composition by Félix Benoist and belongs to Nice et Savoie. Its subject combines the architectural observation and landscape detail that make illustrated regional views appealing to collectors.

Alby-sur-Chéran is presented through the relationship between its buildings, bridge and river. The image offers a historical view of the village, preserving the appearance of the setting as represented in this nineteenth-century publication.

For a collection devoted to Haute-Savoie, the print provides a named location and a recognisable architectural subject. It also complements broader collections of French village views, bridges and Alpine landscapes.

Lithographic detail

The lithographic treatment uses variations in tone to distinguish stonework, roofs, foliage and water. Darker passages beneath the bridge and along the banks contrast with the more open areas of the composition.

These tonal differences give the image depth while allowing fine details to remain visible. The textures of the buildings and landscape contribute to the appeal of the print at close range.

The surrounding paper provides space around the image. The full sheet dimensions are useful when choosing a mount, allowing the composition to be displayed with an appropriate portion of its margins.

Dimensions and presentation

This is an antique nineteenth-century lithograph on paper. Please examine the photographs of the complete sheet and the detail views for the appearance of the print, its margins and its state of preservation. The photographs form part of the description.

Subject: Alby-sur-Chéran near Annecy.
Department: Haute-Savoie.
Country: France.
Date: circa 1864.
Composition: Félix Benoist.
Series: Nice et Savoie.
Technique: lithograph on paper.
Sheet dimensions: 47.5 × 32.3 cm.
Image dimensions: 32.3 × 23 cm.
Reference: 5400-27R789.

This Alby-sur-Chéran lithograph brings together a stone bridge, traditional village architecture and a dramatic river setting. It would make an attractive addition to a collection of Haute-Savoie views or a display devoted to the landscapes and architectural heritage of France.