Frédéric De Haenen, Paon Lighthouse On The Island Of Bréhat, 1920s

A charcoal drawing enhanced with wash and watercolor depicting the Phare du Paon lighthouse, perched on imposing rocks and located north of the island of Bréhat in Brittany. Built in 1860, it consists of a square turret and a main building that served as the keeper’s quarters. However, it was blown up by the Germans in 1944, and a new lighthouse was built between 1948 and 1952, this time without the keeper’s house. This work is therefore a valuable record of the original lighthouse’s condition prior to its destruction.

Monogrammed in the lower left corner.
Watermark visible on the mat.
Inscription on the back: "PHARE du PAON / Ile de BREHAT / vers 1925 / de HAENEN".

Frédéric de Haenen (1853–1929) was a Dutch painter and illustrator, naturalized as a French citizen, originally from Utrecht. In 1886, he participated in the International Black-and-White Exhibition in Paris, dedicated to works created in black and white, and was awarded a bronze medal in the Drawings category. Two years later, he began contributing to the magazine “L’Illustration,” a collaboration that would last until 1923. An avid traveler, he spent time in England, Central Africa, and Russia, where he continued his work as an illustrator. Following World War I, he settled on the island of Bréhat, where he had a small castle built named Krec’h Gwen. There, he painted numerous works inspired by the landscapes and daily life of the Breton island.

Good overall condition.
Dates from the 1920s.

Dimensions:
Framed: 28.5 x 39 cm
Artwork: 17.5 x 26.5 cm