Mid 1900-1999, Belgium, an Afternoon in Antwerp

Belgium. An Afternoon in Antwerp by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed front lower left corner, inscribed and signed to the back watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed sheet 9.75 x 13.75 inches Bright painting by Leon. Rowe, inscribed to the back and dated June 1950. A bright and breezy summertime image with striped awnings and figures busy about their day. A mother and child stroll in the foreground. To the back the artist has written “Note Art Gallery – Pictures” and “Antwerp afternoon sketch”. 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 left. 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 is clean and clear with good strong colour.