Seascape. Oil On Wood. Joseph Suchet. 19th Century

Joseph Suchet was a painter from Marseille (1824-1896). He studied at the Marseille School of Fine Arts and became a specialist in landscapes, but especially seascapes. He depicted the lives of fishermen in the Marseille region and the coastal landscapes with great realism. Several of his works are held in museums, including the Marseille School of Fine Arts and the Cantini Museum. This small painting could be a study for a larger one and was certainly painted outdoors. It shows a dark, choppy sea with two rocks emerging from it. The sky is cloudy, and two seagulls fly overhead. There is great harmony in the color palette. The scene is wonderfully executed and shows the power of nature while simultaneously inviting peaceful contemplation. On the back is written, "Suchet's Seagull, Marseille." The painting is an oil on wood panel and measures 26 cm x 14.6 cm.