French Impressionist Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by the Village Shore

Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of Fishing Boats by the Village Shore By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930) Size: 7 x 9.5 inches (height x width) Signed: Yes Oil painting on board, unframed Condition: The painting is in good condition, with minor signs of aging. Provenance: All the paintings we have for sale by this artist have come from the artists estate and have had no previous owners at all. Description: This painting depicts a charming village scene by the shore, where two fishing boats rest upon the beach, with a figure nearby, possibly a fisherman or villager preparing for the day’s work. The boats, painted in tones of blue, grey, and hints of red, contrast beautifully against the sandy shoreline, capturing the utilitarian, weathered look typical of fishing vessels. Their placement suggests a daily rhythm, where the boats are either just returning from or about to embark on a journey at sea. The village backdrop, with its rows of quaint buildings and a prominent church steeple rising into the sky, adds depth and a sense of place to the scene. The buildings are rendered in earthy tones of beige, white, and greenish-grey, with textured brushstrokes that give each structure a distinct presence yet blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The church steeple serves as a focal point, drawing the viewer’s eye upwards and anchoring the composition with a sense of stability and tradition. The sky above, painted in a mix of soft blue and white, appears bright and clear, suggesting a calm day by the coast. The artist’s use of thick, expressive brushstrokes adds texture and movement to the clouds, as well as a tactile quality to the entire painting. This technique enhances the sense of liveliness, as if capturing a moment in time where the village and the sea coexist in quiet harmony. The scene is imbued with a feeling of simplicity and warmth, as the artist captures the essence of coastal life and the connection between the villagers and their environment. The earthy palette, combined with the dynamic brushwork, reflects the charm of a small fishing village, inviting the viewer to appreciate the rustic beauty and timeless nature of life by the sea.