Mid 1900-1999 Belgium, Ostend Church and Harbour

Belgium: Ostend. Church of St Peter and St Paul, with fishing boats and harbour by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed, inscribed and dated lower right watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed 9.5 x 13.75 inches Super colourful painting by Leon. Rowe, depicting a busy harbour with fishing boats against the backdrop of the Church of St Peter and St Paul, and quayside buildings. On the back it is inscribed with the location, and the artist noted it was a “grey morning”. It is dated May 1950 and signed again on the back. 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 right, additional inscription and date 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. The top edge of the sheet is unpainted and we have not included that in the measurements shown. Some slight discolouration in the sky area around the edges of the sheet, but overall the sheet is in good condition and the colour is good and strong