François de herain (1877-1962) is a french painter, sculptor and engraver. the drawing depicts an elderly woman making her way to the church square at the chapel of the penitents in les baux de provence, near the french riviera. This secular penitent confraternity constructed the chapel in the mid-17th century. Originally intended to house the bodies of confraternity members in its underground vaults, the chapel fell into ruins but was restored in 1937. The artist draws an analogy between the woman's old age and the dilapidated state of the chapel. the lady, assisted by her cane, is heading towards the dilapidated chapel and the cross. It is a poignant representation of aging and life, where the painter captures the beauty in the simultaneous decay of the woman and the chapel. etching pencil signed, numbered and titled. #17 of 75 . It is signed at the bottom right. A drawn portrait by françois de herain is on display at the musée d'orsay in paris. françois de hérain was appointed a knight of the national order of the legion of honor by decree on october 21, 1932, and promoted to officer of the same order by decree on august 24, 1955 dimension of the drawing : 24,5cm x 18cm this piece has an attribution mark, i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution