Mid 1900-1999, Belgium, Bruges, Market Square Monument

Belgium. Bruges, The Market Square Monument by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed, inscribed and dated front lower left, inscribed, signed and dated to the back watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed Sheet 9.75 x 13.75 inches Charming painting by Leon. Rowe, dated 1950. It is signed front lower left and inscribed to the back. The artist painted this view seated with the 13th century Bell Tower and the Cloth Hall out of sight to his left. He has focused this painting on the monument and statue dedicated to Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who fly the Belgian flag. They were a butcher and a weaver who became folk heroes, fighting for freedom from the French. The market place is busy with colourful figures going about their daily business, and some vehicles. 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, dated and inscribed front lower left. To the back is his signature once again, the date and location. This work forms part of a watercolour collection we currently hold by Rowe. Known as Leon Rowe, the artist was born in central 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. The edges of the sheet are clean. The sky area has some minor discolouration to the upper left area and the left side. There is one very small dark blue paint mark made by the artist in the sky area around a quarter-inch from the left edge. The image has strong and clear colour.