Paul Lecomte (1842-1920) Brighton Beach, 1889, Signed And Dated Watercolor

Paul Lecomte (1842-1920)
Brighton, the beach 1889
signed located and dated lower left "Brighton juin 89"
watercolor on paper
18.5 x 27.5 cm (view)
framed 41 x 49.5 cm

Paul Lecomte worked, exhibited and sold his artwork in England. I also had the opportunity to offer another one of his watercolours depicting the English coast.
However, he rarely dated his works, which is obviously important information.

At the time, the depiction of beaches was still quite rare, as they were relatively new as places of leisure or interest. However, Eugène Boudin (1824–1898) had popularised this theme, paving the way for this type of landscape.
Paul Lecomte painted it with his usual accuracy and delicacy.
The composition is balanced, with a central motif that gives the piece vertical momentum. The architectural details and boats are painted meticulously, with Lecomte's signature impressionistic, almost pointillist touch. Finally, the colours give the whole piece essential harmony, with warm shades ranging from pink to yellow.

Paul Lecomte was born in Paris on April 15, 1842. He was a painter of landscapes and coastal scenes.
He is considered as one of the last quality representatives from the Barbizon School.
He was the pupil of the painter Emile Lambinet (1813-1877) but the influence of Camille Corot and Henri Harpignies are the most noticeable in the developpement of his style.
His art is deeply influenced by japonism just as his almost exact contemporary Claude Monet.
He painted in Brittany, Normandy or South of France but also in England where he exhibited his works also.
He exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon from 1868 onward, winning different medals and awards.
He died in Paris on March 21, 1920.
Works by his hand are held by the Louvre Museum and the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris the Musée des Beaux Arts in Mulhouse and the Musée Baron-Martin in Gray.
Literature : Benezit, Schurr