The Pontoon - Colin Colahan - Australian School

Captivating painting by Australian painter and sculptor Colin Colahan (1897-1987).
A boat in the center of the canvas with on one side the perspective of tall wooden hovels rising up to the houses that limit the horizon, colors blended with a gradation of gray to black, the painter realizes from this view of a pontoon a powerful and mysterious representation.

Colin Colahan was born in February 1897 in Woodend, Victoria, Australia and died in June 1987 in Ventimiglia, Italy.
After a first year of medicine, he studied painting and drawing at the "National Gallery school" then entered the school created by the painter Max Meldrum, adopting his style of "Tonal realism" from 1916 to 1919.
He continues his training between London and Paris, exhibiting in both countries, at the Salon des Artistes Français among others.
His favorite subjects are landscapes, street scenes, portraits and nudes.
He returned to Melbourne where his reputation was growing. His works mature and achieve great success.
He was named an official war artist by the Australian War Memorial in 1942.
In 1952 he became the first president of the Australian Artist's Association.
In 1958 he moved to Italy near Ventimiglia where he devoted himself to sculpture. He creates the “Sirena” fountain for the Italian town of Bordighera. The head of Victor Smorgon is purchased by the National Gallery of Victoria.
His work is represented in the collections of the State Galleries in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Oil on canvas mounted on cardboard in perfect condition, signed "Colahan" lower right.
Size: 17,7 x 14,9 Inches without frame and 24,8 x 21,7 Inches with its Montparnasse frame in carved wood.