Antique French Charcoal Landscape Drawing in Gilt Frame

A soulful 19th-century French charcoal landscape, capturing a soft, atmospheric view of trees, open fields, and a distant horizon. Rendered with expressive strokes and subtle tonal shifts, the piece has the unmistakable feel of a plein-air study — the kind of sketch artists made outdoors to capture fleeting light and shadow before returning to the studio.   Handwritten inscriptions line the top and bottom of the drawing, adding rich provenance and storytelling. The lower note reads: “Petite forêt, chemin père Tisserand” which translates loosely to “Small forest, path of Father Tisserand.” This likely refers to a real location or walking path named for a local priest or family, giving this sketch a deeply personal connection to the land it depicts.   The faint text along the top appears to be the artist’s notation — a common practice among 19th-century French artists who often documented location, light conditions, or companions present while sketching.   The drawing is housed in its or