Boats On Dry Land, Alfred Verstraeten (1900-1910)

This late Impressionist work by Flemish artist Alfred Verstraeten probably dates from the first decade of the 20th century and depicts a number of fishing boats being towed along the beach of a Belgian coastal town. The work is particularly striking for its unique use of color and light, giving it a striking clarity reminiscent of luminism, an artistic movement that emerged from post-impressionism from 1904 onwards. Alfred Verstraeten (1858-1936) trained as an artist at the Brussels Academy, specializing in landscapes and maritime themes. His early works still show clear traces of realism, with depictions of Flemish peasant life. From the end of the 19th century onwards, Verstraeten was inspired by the Impressionists, for whom light and color played a key role. This painting is a fine and rare example. During this period, Verstraeten painted several works depicting Flemish kissing towns. Condition: The painting is in excellent condition, the frame showing traces of repair.