Mid 1900-1999, Belgium, a Morning in Bruges

Belgium. A Morning in Bruges by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed front lower right corner, inscribed, dated and signed to the back watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed sheet 9.75 x 13.75 inches Charming painting by Leon. Rowe, inscribed to the back and dated June 1950. A busy town square scene with and figures busy about their day. A lady and her dog stroll in the foreground. A covered wagon can be seen leaving the square. Beautiful neutral colours enhance this scene from the traditional buildings. To the back the artist has written “Morning sketch Bruges” and “June 50”. Belgium and Luxembourg were two of Rowe’s favourite destinations for his painting trips overseas. Often incorporating figures into his work, his style is very similar to Thomas Morley’s paintings of French and Belgian market town scenes. Signed front lower right. Signed, dated and inscribed to the back. This work forms part of a watercolour collection we currently hold by Rowe. Known as Leon Rowe, the artist was born in Staffordshire, England, in Christmas week of 1880. His career and business involved in him interior decoration, and the design and painting of theatre production stage scenery. He had a love of painting in watercolour for his own pleasure and the collection of work we currently hold by this artist shows exemplary skill. In his later years he was able to travel to Europe where much of his post war work was executed, although examples of his paintings are recorded as early as 1914, when he would have been around 25 years old. His earlier work shows his signature as Leon Rowe but the majority he signed as L M Rowe – as is the case here. He passed away in 1968. condition report: No tears or creases. Very clean throughout, even the sheet edges. The image has a slightly marked and toned area in the sky area, near the top central edge. Overall, clean and clear with good strong colour.