Mid 1900-1999 Impressionist De Brouckere Brussels Belgium,

Brussels: Belgium. De Brouckere Square and the Jules Anspach Obelisk by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed lower left watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed Sheet: 9.75 x 13.75 inches Delightful painting by Leon. Rowe. It is inscribed extensively to the back, some of it indistinctly, and dated June 50, however the location is unquestionable as De Brouckere Square. The obelisk which was dedicated to Jules Anspach in 1897 (Mayor of the city in the 1800-1899), has since been removed – taken down in 1973 as part of the metro station developments in Brussels and re-erected in 1981 elsewhere in the city. The very grand building is the Hotel Continental built in 1874. The scene is busy with figures and carts. 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. This one is signed front lower left and again on the back with the inscription. 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. There are two faint foxing marks in the upper right sky section, just above the building with the domed cupola. Edges of sheet bear slight discolouration but image is clean and with good colour.