Léon Raffin (1906-1996) - Paesaggio lacustre

Artist: Léon Raffin (1906-1996)
Title of the work: Lakeside landscape with cypress trees and architectures (descriptive title)
Technique: Watercolor and gouache on paper
Signature: Hand-signed (bottom right: "Léon Raffin")
Era: Mid-20th century
Conditions: Good preservation condition, colors vivid and well maintained.
Dimensions of the work: 30 x 22 cm
Dimensions with frame: 48 x 41 cm
Description of the Work

The Work:
Luminous and finely structured, this painting on paper by Léon Raffin (1906-1996) captures the serene beauty of a coastal or lakeside landscape with a typically Mediterranean flavor. The artist skillfully uses watercolor technique combined with the opacity of gouache to create broad fields of color, synthesizing forms with a nearly post-impressionist taste and a marked geometric sense.

In the foreground, the composition is dominated by the contrast between the dark verticality of the elegant cypress trees and the warm geometries of the terracotta roofs of the historic building below, likely a parish church or manor villa. The gaze then opens onto the placid blue expanse of the water, finally closing on the gentle profile of the mountains in the background. The chromatic balance between greens, ochres and cerulean tones reflects the author's great stylistic maturity.

Details, Provenance and Authenticity:
The work is clearly signed by the artist at the bottom right. On the back is affixed the historic label of the famous Geneva crafts workshop "Artisana - Cadres D'Art / Fournitures pour les Beaux-Arts" located on Rue de la Verdaine in Geneva, a detail that enriches the piece with solid local history. Also on the back, pencil annotations with the exact measurements of the work and the frame (30x22 and 48x41) and an ancient price or estimate ("Raffin 1500.-").

The work is presented under glass and protected by a mat that enhances its compositional freshness, enclosed in a delicate profiled frame that echoes the painting's subdued tones.
If visible in the photo, the frame is included in the lot as a pure gift from me and is not part of the sale, does not determine its value, and, due to its delicacy, is not insured. Consequently, any defects already present on the frame are not reported and any damage it sustains during transport will not be considered for claims or returns.

Shipping and Customs notes
The item is shipped from Geneva, Switzerland. For this reason, delivery times to EU countries may be slightly longer than usual due to normal customs procedures.
I also remind you that, since Switzerland is outside the European Union customs area, import taxes, local VAT and customs duties are charged to the buyer and will be collected by authorities in your country upon delivery. I advise you to inform yourself in advance to avoid surprises. Alternatively, if you have the possibility, personal pick-up in Geneva is always the option I prefer and strongly recommend, as it will allow you to eliminate shipping costs and ensure maximum safety for the work. If shipping is chosen, I will do my best to pack it to protect the frame during travel.