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Fanch LelFrench Harbour Scene with Church Boats and Village Skyline in Gouache
About the Item
Title: French Harbour Scene with Church Boats and Village Skyline in Gouache
By Fanch Lel
Size: 7.25 x 9.75 inches (height x width)
Gouache painting on cardboard, unframed
Condition: Good condition overall with minor surface handling marks and light wear to edges, consistent with its medium and vintage character. Painted on corrugated card, which adds visible texture and depth.
Provenance: All the paintings we have for sale by this artist have come from the artists estate and have had no previous owners at all.
Description:
In this charming French gouache by artist Fanch Lel, a bustling harbour village comes to life with a row of moored fishing boats, a prominent church tower, and the silhouettes of clustered stone houses. The sky, washed in soft lavender, pale yellow, and salmon pink, suggests early morning light or the fading warmth of evening—adding a poetic quality to the lively, compact scene.
The village architecture is defined by steep slate-blue rooftops, a classic bell tower, and a mix of traditional stone structures. The brightly coloured boats float peacefully in the foreground, their reflections rippling across the green-blue harbour water. Lel’s use of gouache lends a matte, velvety texture to the scene, softening edges and enhancing the impressionist, sketch-like charm.
The artist’s brushwork is quick and deliberate—details are abstracted yet easily recognisable, evoking the essence of place rather than photographic precision. This approach draws attention to atmosphere and composition, with gentle contrasts and harmonious colour choices tying the work together.
This scene likely references a small coastal town in Brittany or Normandy, where such configurations of boats, churches, and tightly built villages are common. It will appeal to collectors interested in French coastal life, village architecture, and the loose, expressive medium of gouache.
- Creator:Fanch Lel (1930, French)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.25 in (18.42 cm)Width: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Cirencester, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU509316352032
Fanch Lel
Fanch Lel’s paintings, primarily executed in oil and gouache, evoke the serenity and charm of the French countryside, with a particular emphasis on the region's coastal and rural beauty. His works often highlight iconic landmarks such as Mont Saint-Michel and capture the essence of Breton culture with his portrayals of the region’s people and customs. Lel's self-taught, plein air approach allows for dynamic compositions that reflect the atmospheric light and textures of the region, giving his pieces a timeless appeal. His choice of soft, muted colors and rich textures brings a sense of nostalgia and quietude to each painting, making them a perfect addition to collections that appreciate mid-century French art. A member of the Société des Artistes Indépendants and a Knight of the Palmes Académiques, Fanch Lel's works have been featured in numerous exhibitions across France, including in Paris, Avranches, Dinard, and Pont-Aven, to name a few. His art has been highly sought after by collectors for decades.

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