STORY
Cidade Maravilhosa is Rio de Janeiro at golden hour, built from Charlotte's own photographs of Ipanema and the city.
Using her signature multi layer photographic technique, Charlotte composites many of her own frames into a single image, the way a film editor assembles a scene from many takes. Christ the Redeemer is laid across the top of the artwork as a transparency, the head high in the sky, the arms reaching almost the full width of the frame. He is the protector of the whole city. Inside his figure rests São Judas Tadeu, photographed in a local church.
Below, Dois Irmãos rises in silhouette against a low sun, and the towers of Ipanema and Leblon run along the right with their windows already lit. The shoreline fills with people: swimmers at the water line, a ball in play, beachgoers standing dark against wet sand that holds the last of the sun. Far back, the Rio-Niterói bridge crosses the horizon, small enough to miss.
The smallest figures in the artwork are visitors at the Museu do Amanhã. Close by, Puffed Star II by Frank Stella, the sculpture that rests on the museum's reflecting pool, is buried inside the yellow beach chair at the bottom of the frame. It is the hardest thing in the artwork to find, and most will miss it.
A skull from a street mural sits high in the sky, above all of it, placed there deliberately. Rio is beautiful and Rio is dangerous, and Charlotte wanted both in the artwork.
The layers work the way memory does, keeping the impression and losing the record. This is not the city as it was photographed. It is Rio after days of walking it.
This work is part of The Breathe Series, Charlotte Fonne's landscapes and cityscapes, where reality merges with the echoes of memory.
Each image in the composition is personally photographed by Charlotte, ensuring a genuine and unique piece. Signed, numbered, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Limited edition. Only 5 to 20 prints per size exist in the world.
Materials & Framing
Gallery-Quality Photo Print
Fuji Crystal DP II: Exceptional Color and Longevity.
I print my artwork on Fuji Crystal DP II, a premium gallery-quality photo paper known for luminous color and remarkable longevity. The paper reproduces deep contrast and a wide tonal range, giving the work a striking visual impact.
Fuji Crystal DP II has an extremely wide color gamut and is designed to be non-fade for at least 75 years. The glossy finish enhances the depth of the artwork, creating an immersive viewing experience.
- Surface feel: Smooth
- Surface finish: Glossy
- Longevity: Non-fade for 75 years
- Manufacturer: Fujicolor
Acrylic Glass Mounting
To enhance both durability and presentation, the photo print is mounted under glossy acrylic glass and backed with sturdy aluminum Dibond. This high-end mounting technique intensifies colors, adds depth, and provides a sleek, modern finish suitable for any space. Acrylic glass is lightweight, shatterproof, and resistant to temperature fluctuations. It protects the artwork while amplifying its brilliance, making it an excellent choice for a lasting display.
- Acrylic Glass: Glossy, 1/16 in. (2 mm)
- Photo Print: Fuji Crystal DP II with silicone sealant
- Backing: Sturdy aluminum Dibond backing
This premium combination of materials ensures the artwork maintains brilliance and integrity for decades to come.
Floater Frame
For a finished presentation, the mounted artwork can be set in a floater frame. This custom-made solid hardwood frame creates a unique visual effect with a gap between the image and the frame, giving the impression that your artwork floats on the wall. The contemporary design is both elegant and subtle, enhancing the presence of the piece without overwhelming it. Available in two colors, black or white, the frame complements a variety of styles.
- Frame Width: 0.6 in. (15 mm)
- Frame Depth: 1.14 in. (29 mm)
- Frame Shadow Gap: 0.27 in. (7 mm)
Ready to hang
Each frame includes a secure wall fixing system that ensures your artwork is beautifully displayed and ready to hang right away. Prints mounted on aluminum Dibond feature an aluminum rail hanging system, providing the same out-of-the-box convenience for easy installation.
- Effortless setup: Just two nails, screws, or hooks are all you need.
- Durable and stable: The mounting system ensures your piece stays securely in place for long-lasting display.
Certificate of Authenticity
Every limited edition artwork comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
- Originality: The certificate confirms your artwork is an original, signed by my hand, not a mass-produced copy.
- Edition number: Each piece carries its own number in the edition, so you know exactly how rare it is. Fewer copies can mean the work holds or grows in value over time.
- Personal connection: Owning a numbered, hand-signed piece means owning a part of my creative journey.
A bit about me
I'm Charlotte,
a French-American artist, photographer, and traveler based in Miami. Inspired by art history and my travels, I build each artwork by layering many of my own photographs into a single image. What I keep is not how a place looked, but how I remember it.
