French School (XX) - Paysage de Rivière

FRENCH SCHOOL, DATED 1926

Riverside Landscape with Sandy Shore

Painting conceived as a pendant to another work by the same artist
Oil on cardboard
19 × 24 cm
34 × 38 cm with frame

• Artist: T. Clavet, signature at lower left

• School: French

• Chronology: Dated “16-8-26”

• Title: Riverside landscape with sandy shore

• Catalogue subtitle: Elevated shore beside a river under shaded vegetation

• Technique: Oil on cardboard

• Dimensions of the work: 19 × 24 cm

• Overall dimensions with frame: 34 × 38 cm

• Signature: “T. CLAVET”, bottom left

• Inscription: Dated “16-8-26” beside the signature

• Presentation: Work conceived as the pair to another painting of identical measurements, subject matter and frame; this lot comprises exclusively the present work

• Frame: Gilded stucco wood, of classical taste, with raised vegetal and geometric decoration

[The work will be professionally packaged to measure, with reinforced protection, double box and insured shipping.]

Delicate riverside landscape signed T. Clavet and dated August 16, 1926. The painting depicts an elevated, sandy shore that slopes down to a dark watercourse, reflecting the dense mass of trees and vegetation on the opposite bank.

The artist concentrates the visual interest in the contrast between the illuminated earth in the foreground and the shadowy depth of the river. The composition conveys a sense of silence, moisture, and calm, typical of a direct plein air landscape observation.

RIVERSIDE LANDSCAPE WITH REFLECTIONS

The composition is organized by a marked ascending diagonal that runs along the entire shore from the lower left to the far right.

This light plane, worked with abundant ochres, warm grays, muted pinks and small touches of green, occupies a large part of the painting and guides the eye toward the water. In the background, the vegetation forms a dark, compact mass, partly reflected on the river’s surface.

The choice of a low viewpoint, almost at water level, reinforces the sense of physical proximity to the ground. The spectator seems positioned directly before the landscape, observing the damp earth, small shoots, and vegetation growing beside the water.

TECHNIQUE, IMPASTO AND EN-plein-aire PAINTING

The work is executed with quick, thick, visible brushstrokes. The oil is applied with particular freedom in the foreground, where the impastos build the texture of sand, stones, small bits of vegetation and damp earth.

The painting does not strive for a smooth or academic surface. The artist leaves the brushmark visible on the cardboard, using the relief of the oil as an essential part of the representation.

The vertical reflections of the water, treated with fine dark brushstrokes, contrast with the denser material of the shore. This dialogue between dense surfaces and lighter areas adds depth and notable vibrancy to the composition.

SIGNATURE AND DATE

The work is signed “T. CLAVET” in the bottom left corner and dated “16-8-26.”

The signature is integrated into the landscape itself, beside the light area of the shore. The precise date makes the painting a direct document of a summer day in 1926 and adds an interesting historical and testimonial value to the set.

The presence of another companion work, of identical dimensions, technique, frame and pictorial language, reinforces reading both as a pair conceived to dialogue with each other. However, the present painting is offered in this lot individually.

STYLE, SCHOOL AND CONTEXT

Due to its direct execution, small format, and expressive handling of the material, the work sits within the French tradition of early 20th-century plein air landscape painting.

Attention to reflections, freedom of brushwork, and use of impasto relate the piece to plein air sensitivity and late Post-Impressionism. The artist does not aim to describe every element in minute detail, but to capture the atmosphere, light, and concrete materiality of the riverside.

The dark vegetation, still water, and clearings of the land are resolved with an economy of means especially appealing. The result is an intimate, direct, and highly decorative painting.

CONDITION REPORT

The work presents a general state of conservation coherent with its age.

The pictorial surface retains rich and expressive matter, with impastos clearly visible. There are slight superficial signs, small abrasions, and normal period wear, visible in the photographs.

The cardboard remains properly mounted in its frame. It is recommended to carefully review all images, which are an essential part of the description and allow assessment of the painting’s texture and actual conservation status.

THE FRAME

The painting is presented in a gilded and stucco wooden frame, with interlaced inner moldings, incised geometric decoration, and raised vegetal ornaments in the corners.

The frame shows signs of use, wear, small losses, scuffs and a visible crack in the top-left corner, all visible in the photographs. Still, it retains a decorative presence particularly suited to the painting and its small format condition.

The frame is supplied only as a courtesy or gift. No claims or complaints regarding its condition, age, fragility, flaws, alterations, stability, fastenings, gilding, polychromy, or decorative suitability will be accepted.

COLLECTOR’S VALUE

This work combines several points of interest:
• French landscape signed and precisely dated to 1926
• Small-format painting with rich material and visible impasts
• Especially atmospheric riverside composition
• Work conceived as a pendant to another painting of equal characteristics
• Legible signature “T. Clavet”
• Classic-toned gilded frame with strong decorative presence

An especially attractive painting for collectors of French landscape, plein air painting, late Post-Impressionism, and small works of strong material-decorative quality.

The work will be professionally packaged to measure, with reinforced protection, double box and insured shipping.

International shipping is handled from a specialized logistics center. Preparation and distribution are typically carried out within about three working days after payment confirmation.

Any potential shipping surcharges for destination countries with high tariffs within the European Union, island territories, remote zones, or non-EU countries must be borne by the buyer.