Framed French Cherub Study from the Succession of Charles Moreau-Vauthier

A wonderful original French drawing on paper featuring a lively winged cherub or putto, loosely rendered in expressive graphite and ink-style linework. The figure holds a banner with handwritten French text that appears to read something close to “Ici on gagne tous les cœurs”, which translates roughly to “Here one wins every heart” or “Here all hearts are won.” The wording feels playful and romantic, almost like a study for an allegorical or decorative composition.

The lower right bears an oval estate stamp reading “Succession Charles Moreau-Vauthier”, indicating the piece came from the estate or succession of Charles Moreau-Vauthier. Moreau-Vauthier was a French painter, writer, and art historian, born in Paris in 1857 and active in the late 19th century; the Musée d’Orsay lists him as a French painter, historian of art, and writer. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and trained under major academic painters including Jean-Léon Gérôme and Paul Baudry, placing him within the traditional French academic art world of the period.

This piece has the feeling of a working studio drawing — quick, romantic, and full of movement rather than a polished finished work. The cherub subject, French inscription, and estate stamp give it a lovely collector quality while still keeping it decorative and easy to place. Framed in a warm gilt-toned frame, it would be beautiful in a bedroom, dressing room, nursery, powder bath, or layered into a romantic French gallery wall.

Condition: Good antique/vintage condition with age-related toning to the paper, light discoloration, surface marks, and wear to the frame including rubbing, chips, and finish loss. Framed as found behind glass.

Estimated age: likely late 19th to early 20th century.

Dimensions: 10 x 8