Original vintage French oil on canvas by Aimé VALLAT (1912-1993), his sinuous signature lower left, dated (19)58. A large landscape in a style reminiscent of impressionism, with confident brush strokes that evoke the scene through the artist’s subjective interpretation rather than a fully realistic portrayal. Using greens and yellows, VALLAT builds the shape of tall trees with hedges in front of them, as seen from a relative distance. In the foreground, he combines greens, yellows, pinks, and blues to render flowers or lichens that grow close to the floor of the meadow. Above it all, the spring or summer blue sky is dotted by white cloud swirls.

VALLAT was born in 1912 in Chasseneuil de Rancon in Western France. His father was killed during the First World War (1914-18), which meant that his education was left to his single mother. Outside the home, he commenced classical studies in a theological seminary. But he soon gave these up in favour of artistic pursuits, encouraged by neo-impressionist painter Paul Signac who used to spend time in the region and who mentored him in those early days. A prisoner of war in Germany during the Second World War, VALLAT escaped and established himself as painter and decorator in Bellac, not far from his native Chasseneuil, where he married and lived a life dedicated to art.

In brown and gold wood frame and in excellent vintage condition.

72 x 59 cm (image) • 28 x 23 in

90 x 77 cm (frame) • 35 x 30 in