Marine, Jean Le Tournier (20th Century)

Sailing Ships at Anchor

This atmospheric watercolor by the Breton painter Jean Le Tournier depicts a peaceful maritime scene, with large sailing ships lying at anchor in a Breton port. The composition conveys a quiet sense of stillness and balance, characteristic of post-war Breton maritime painting.

Executed in watercolor on paper, the work reveals a subtle and nuanced palette. The artist skillfully plays with transparency to suggest the gentle movement of the water and the soft reflections of the hulls on the calm sea. The drawing is both precise and free, demonstrating an assured hand and a poetic vision of the maritime world.

The sky, rendered with light washes, envelops the scene in a slightly hazy, timeless atmosphere, reinforcing the contemplative mood of the composition. The interplay between drawing and light places this work at the crossroads of poetic realism and an impressionistic sensibility.

The watercolor comes from a private collection in Normandy and is presented under glass, in a gilt frame with a thin profile and a light blue mat.

• Artist: Jean Le Tournier (Breton painter, 20th century)

• Title: Sailing Ships at Anchor

• Technique: Watercolor on paper

• Dimensions: H. 30 × W. 45 cm (excluding frame)

• Signature: Lower right

• Framing: Gilt frame, light blue mat, under glass (plastic)

• Provenance: Private collection, Normandy

• Condition: Excellent overall condition, no visible damage

• A serene port scene rooted in Breton maritime tradition

• A refined balance between drawing, light and atmosphere

• An evocative example of post-war Breton watercolor painting