Japy's auction hammer prices to $43,000. A fine quality Impressionist oil painting on panel by listed French artist, Louis Aimé Japy (1840–1916) titled 'Le Ruisseau' which is translated, 'The Stream'. Circa 1890, this Barbizon artist's work depicts a small river in a verdant landscape with a little weir (damn) and lovely wildflowers at the edges of the banks. The leafy spring trees against the blue sky are especially well done. It is in original condition, signed lower left and titled verso. Provenance: Private Paris Collection.

Japy's auction hammer prices to $43,000.

Dimensions: 18” Length x 2” Width x 21” Height

Condition is very good, consistent with age, ready to hang.

Louis Aimé Japy was born in Doubs and travelled to Paris where he became a pupil of Camille Corot and Francois-Louis Francais. He is known for landscapes and fruit and flower still lifes. He died in Paris. He began to show work at the Paris Salon in 1864, won a medal in 1870, and another medal in 1873. He became a member of the Societe des Artistes Francais in 1883, won silver medals at the Expositions Universelles in Paris in 1889 and 1900 and was made a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 1906.

Art has long been regarded as a strong and safe investment. Ellen Kelleher, a personal finance reporter for The Financial Times wrote an article recommending art particularly in the $500 - $50,000 range as a sound long term investment with an impressive current average annual yield of 9.7%. See 'Hang Your Investments on the Wall' in the Financial Times published in October, 2010.