Gaston Balande (1880-1971) Rescue In The Lauzières Marshes. Charente, La Rochelle, Suire

A very large and sublime watercolor by Gaston Balande depicting a lively genre scene with numerous figures, a rescue in the Lauzières marshes, signed lower left and titled on the back. The watercolor alone measures 48 x 65 cm (excluding the frame). This is indeed a large and magnificent composition by Gaston Balande, who captures the rescue of a cow by many figures in the Lauzières marshes in Charente-Maritime. As was his custom, he first created a powerful charcoal drawing, which he then subtly colored using shades of green, brown, yellow, intense blues, and a few delicate touches of red. Lauzières is a small village north of La Rochelle where the painter worked extensively; he would eventually settle there. I hardly need to introduce Gaston Balande, one of the most famous French post-impressionist painters with worldwide success, especially renowned for his views of La Rochelle, Aunis, the islands of Ré and Oléron, but also for his period in Etaples at the beginning of his career, but he also set up his easel in almost all of France, also known for his orientalist period with his views of North Africa, Greece, Spain etc...finally his genre scenes, his portraits and his still lifes, in short a complete painter with a considerable body of work. He was close to many painters such as Marquet, Suire, and Bichet, and he is obviously part of the Charente school alongside Couillaud, Verger, Langlade, Charlopeau, Chevalier, Charpentier, Lessieux, etc. His son, André Delauzières (1904-1941), was also an excellent painter, unfortunately dying prematurely (see the work I am offering in another listing). Gaston Balande's biography is so extensive that I recommend visiting the website of the Association of Friends of Gaston Balande, which can be found here: https://gaston-balande.com/. There are two volumes of catalogue raisonné, and a third is in preparation, as well as several other publications. His works are held in numerous museums in France and abroad. This watercolor is in good condition, with just a slight and almost imperceptible tear near the bottom. The artwork is guaranteed authentic.