Fishermen On The Beach At Collioure. Oil On Canvas. Georges Emile Capon.

Painter: Georges Emile Capon (1890-1980), French painter, engraver, lithographer, poster artist who had Norman origins. He was recognized as a poster artist at the time of the First World War and advocated solidarity, particularly with disabled veterans. He later became a permanent artist at the Berthe Weill gallery in Paris, a friend of many painters including Raoul Dufy. He was part of the first school of Paris, participated in numerous Parisian painting salons and was exhibited in Chicago.

This painting represents a scene of daily life in Collioure at the beginning of the 20th century, fishermen near their boats spreading their nets. The gaze is guided in the foreground on the work of the men, their colorful boats, then towards the background, the blue sea, part of the castle on the right and in the background the “faubourg” of Collioure with the bell tower of the “Dominicans”. The color palette is dominated by warm tones (ochres, beiges, browns) and touches of blue and green. The colors are laid in flat, frank colors, without too many gradients. A soft light illuminates the scene. This painting, whose subject is a scene of labor, exudes serenity, warmth and softness, and it is all the talent of the painter to have magnified this scene in this idyllic setting. The painting bears on the back the trace of a customs stamp sign that the painting was exhibited abroad (Chicago?) as well as an expertise label with reference number. The painting measures: 56 × 43 cm with the frame and  44X31,5 cm without frame.