Charles Coumont (1822–1889) Horsemen And A Herd Of Horses In Front Of A Roman Aqueduct.

A beautiful, luminous oil on panel by Charles Coumont (Verviers, 1822 – Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, 1889) depicting a lively scene in the Roman countryside.

In the foreground, several horsemen are herding and watching over a large herd of horses roaming freely through the countryside. In the background stretches an imposing series of ancient arches, most likely the remains of one of the great Roman aqueducts in the Roman countryside, probably the Aqua Claudia.

The artist very effectively contrasts the monumentality of the ancient ruins with the liveliness of the herd: resting horses, riding horses, and animals galloping at full speed give rhythm to the composition, while the Italian horsemen lend the scene all the picturesque charm of the Roman countryside in the mid-19th century.

Charles Coumont lived primarily in Rome between 1845 and 1851, where he furthered his training after studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels in the studio of François-Joseph Navez. There he developed a particular fondness for Italian landscapes, animals, shepherds, and scenes of the Roman countryside. Beginning with the 1848 Brussels Salon, he exhibited several works devoted specifically to these subjects.

Our painting most likely dates from this Italian period or draws direct inspiration from the studies Coumont executed during his stay in Rome.

Oil on a fine mahogany panel, bearing the signature “C. Coumont” in the lower right corner.

The panel’s reverse side features a beautiful antique patina and appears to have retained its traditional mounting.

Panel dimensions: 40 × 27 cm.
Dimensions including its substantial gilded frame: 60 × 47 cm.

The painting is set in a very beautiful antique wooden and gilded stucco frame decorated with acanthus leaves and foliage friezes, which is particularly well suited to the work.

19th-century Belgian School—Italian period, circa 1845–1855.