Léon Raffin (1906-1996) - Paesaggio lacustre

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

The Work:
Bright and finely structured, this painting on paper by Léon Raffin (1906-1996) captures the serene beauty of a coastal or lacustrine landscape with a typically Mediterranean flavor. The artist skillfully uses watercolor combined with the opacity of gouache to create broad expanses 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 cypresses and the warm geometries of the terracotta roofs of the historic building beneath, probably a parish church or villa of the landowner. The gaze then opens to the placid blue expanse of the water, and finally closes on the gentle profile of the mountains in the background. The chromatic balance between greens, ochres and cerulean tones reflects the artist's great stylistic maturity.

Details, Provenance and Authenticity:
The work is clearly signed by the artist on the bottom right. On the back is applied the historic label of the famous Swiss artisan 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 frame (30x22 and 48x41) and an ancient indication of price or estimate ("Raffin 1500.-").

The piece is presented under glass and protected by a passe-partout that enhances its compositional freshness, enclosed in a delicate profiled frame that echoes the soft tones of the painting.
The frame if visible in the photo is included in the lot as a pure gift from me and is not part of the sale, does not determine its value, and, given its delicacy, is not covered by insurance. Consequently, any defects already present on the frame are not reported and any damage suffered by it during transport will not be considered for claims or returns.

Notes on shipping and customs
The object is shipped from Geneva, Switzerland. For this reason, delivery times to European Union countries could be slightly longer than usual due to standard customs procedures.
I also remind you that, since Switzerland is outside the EU customs area, import duties, local VAT and customs tariffs are entirely the buyer's responsibility and will be charged by authorities in your country at delivery. I recommend informing yourself in advance to avoid surprises. Alternatively to shipping, if you have the possibility, personal pickup 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 package it to protect the painting during transport.