French School (XX) - Paysage de Rivière

FRENCH SCHOOL, DATED 1926

RIVIERA 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 lower left

• School: French

• Chronology: Dated “16-8-26”

• Title: Landscape of the riverbank with sandy shore

• Catalog 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” next to the signature

• Presentation: Work conceived as a pair to another painting of equal dimensions, theme and frame; this lot comprises exclusively the present work

• Frame: Gilded and stuccoed wood, in a classical taste, with vegetal and geometric relief decoration

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

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

The artist concentrates visual interest on the contrast between the illuminated earth in the foreground and the shadowy depth of the river. The composition conveys a sense of silence, humidity and calm, characteristic of direct outdoor landscape observation.

RIVERBANK LANDSCAPE AND REFLECTIONS

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

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

Choosing a low viewpoint, almost at water level, reinforces the sense of physical proximity to the terrain. The viewer seems placed directly before the landscape, observing the damp earth, tiny sprouts and vegetation growing along the water.

TECHNIQUE, IMPASTO AND EN PLEIN AIR PAINTING

The work is executed with a quick, thick and visible brushstroke. Oil is applied with special freedom in the foreground, where impasto builds the texture of sand, stones, small vegetal remnants, and damp earth areas.

The painting does not seek a smooth or academic surface. The artist leaves the brush imprint on the cardboard, using the oil relief as an essential part of the representation.

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 lower 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 the same 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 plein air landscape painting of the early 20th century.

Attention to reflections, freedom of brushwork, and use of impasto connect the piece with plenairist sensibility and late post-impressionism. The artist does not aim to describe every element meticulously, but to capture the atmosphere, light and concrete materiality of the riverbank.

Dark vegetation, still water and clearings of the terrain are resolved with a particularly attractive economy of means. The result is an intimate, direct and highly decorative painting.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The work shows a general state of conservation consistent with its age.

The painted surface preserves rich and expressive material, with clearly visible impastos. There are light superficial signs, small scuffs and normal wear for the period, visible in the photographs.

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

THE FRAME

The painting is presented in a gilded and stuccoed wooden frame, with interwoven inner moldings, incised geometric decoration and vegetal relief ornaments at the corners.

The frame shows signs of use, wear, small losses, scratches, and a visible crack in the upper left corner, all of which are noticeable in the photographs. Still, it preserves a decorative presence particularly suitable for the painting and its small-format condition.

The frame is provided only as a courtesy or gift. No claims or complaints about its condition, age, fragility, faults, alterations, stability, fixtures, gilding, polychromy or decorative suitability will be accepted.

COLLECTOR’S VALUE

This work brings together several elements of interest:

• French landscape signed and dated precisely in 1926

• Small-format painting with rich material and visible impasto

• Shoreline composition especially atmospheric

• Conceived as a pendant to another painting of identical characteristics

• Legible signature “T. Clavet”

• Classic-style gilded frame with strong decorative presence

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

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

International shipping is performed from a specialized logistics center. Preparation and distribution are usually carried out within about three business days after payment confirmation.

Any possible shipping surcharges for high-rate destinations within the European Union, island territories, remote areas or non-EU countries must be borne by the buyer.