French Impressionist Oil Painting of View of the Old Bridge at Espalion, Aveyron

Title: French Impressionist Oil Painting of View of the Old Bridge at Espalion, Aveyron By Fanch Lel (French b. 1930) Size: 8.75 x 10.75 inches (height x width) Signed: Yes Oil painting on board, unframed Condition: The painting is in good condition. 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: Fanch Lel’s 1998 work Vue du vieux Pont à Espalion (Aveyron) offers a captivating view of the historical village of Espalion, located in the scenic Aveyron region of southern France. The central focus of this piece is the “vieux pont” (old bridge), an architectural gem spanning the Truyère River, which has long been a defining feature of the town. The artist’s bold, expressive brushstrokes bring a textured richness to the scene, with a highly impressionistic style that makes the viewer feel immersed in the setting. Lel uses a soft yet varied palette—combining pastel blues, earthy greens, and neutral shades of white and grey—that complements the natural surroundings, evoking a calm, overcast day. The misty atmosphere is beautifully rendered in the blurred outlines of the buildings and bridge, while the reflection in the water below adds a dreamlike quality to the landscape. In particular, the painter’s choice of subdued colors contrasts with the vibrant pops of orange and red seen in distant rooftops and figures, bringing subtle warmth and life into the tranquil scene. The surface of the painting itself has a rough texture, inviting the viewer to feel as if they are part of the village, standing by the river’s edge on a quiet, reflective day. Lel’s ability to balance architectural detail with artistic abstraction is evident in the delicate rendering of the bridge and buildings, which sit in harmony with the flowing waters of the Truyère River.