VICTOR PROUVÉ (1858-1943) Study for La Vie, 1897-1898. Charcoal, red chalk and white chalk on paper glued to the edge of cardboard. Signed, dedicated "to Mr. Ralph Brown - good memory" and dated 1898 lower center. 64 x 81 cm. Fading and small stains. Provenance : French private collection. Our drawing is a study of one of the female characters of his masterly decoration for the stairwell of the town hall of Issy-les-Moulineaux, entitled La Vie. This work, classified as a Historic Monument in 2002, exalts working class life and republican values under the Third Republic.