French Impressionist painting of a marina scene by René Fontayne

French Impressionist painting of a marina scene by René Fontayne
French, Early 20th Century
Frame: Height 68.5cm, width 66cm, depth 6cm
Canvas: Height 50cm, width 48cm
 
This fine oil painting depicts a closely cropped view of a harbour scene. Sailboats float on the rippled sea, their forms—whether masts or hulls—cropped by the framing of the composition. Terraced houses define the background, with the line of the quay neatly dividing the picture in two: water from land, top from bottom. The painterly style is impressionistic: the artist, René Fontayne, has employed blocks of unadulterated colour to indicate instances of light and shade. The colour palette is vibrant, the bright tones hinting at the warm summer day.
 
The artist, René Fontayne, was an accomplished painter who found much success during the first half of the 20th Century.
 
The painting is signed lower left ‘René Fontayne’ and is contained by a carved giltwood frame.
 
Artist/Maker: René Fontayne