Mid 1900-1999 Procession of Orphan Children Luxembourg

Luxembourg: Procession of Orphanage Children by Leonard Machin Rowe (1880-1968) signed lower left watercolour painting on artist’s paper, unframed Image: 9.75 x 13.5 inches, sheet 11.25 x 15 inches Fascinating painting by Leon. Rowe. It is inscribed to the back, and although undated we do know from other work that the artist was producing paintings in Luxembourg in 1950. This depicts children from an orphanage being walked by, perhaps, nuns from a religious order who would commonly have run city orphanages. These children were very likely victims of the post war period in Europe. 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 initialled front lower left and signed 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. The image is contained within a blank white margin area, the margin has marks and edge folds but the image remains untouched. Good strong colour.