Mid 1900-1999, Luxembourg, Old Streets Scene

Luxembourg. “Old Streets” by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed front lower right, inscribed to the back watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed Image 14 x 9.75 inches, sheet 15 x 10.75 inches Charming painting by Leon. Rowe, likely to be c.1950 in date as we have several on identical artists paper from Luxembourg by this artist dated around that year. It is signed front lower right and inscribed “Luxembourg”. It depicts a busy little street with figures, a dog accompanying its owner who gazes into a shop doorway, and a horse drawn cart. 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. To the back is his signature once again and an inscription “Old Streets”. 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. There is a white border margin around the work, and within that border margin are numerous marks and discolouration. The image is in more muted tones than much of Rowe’s work and is slightly overall and evenly toned. This sheet may have been stored in a top-most position of other sheets of his work for some time.