An early 20th century oil painting on canvas of a Post-Impressionist harbour scene, showing the quayside of the ‘Mirroir aux Oiseaux’ (the Mirror of Birds) at Les Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône), with traditional fishing vessels with triangular lateen sails, a wooden dinghy, other boats drawn up on the shore and with the clock tower of the church of Sainte-Marie-Madelein on the centre left, all under a sunlit sky, signed ‘Gerladi’ in the lower right hand corner. Framed in a decorative gilded wooden frame. French, circa 1920. Canvas size: 15” by 18”
The signature is a pseudonymous (or studio) name, commonly used on paintings such as this in the early 20th century, and destined for tourist markets of the period, usually using Italian or Spanish sounding names. The coastal town of Les Martigues is often referred to as ‘the Venice of Provence’ because of its picturesque canals, and it was a popular subject with both artists and their patrons.
Condition: Overall very good, the painting is in very good condition with no damage to the canvas or paint loss, the paint is in very good condition with bright colours, the frame has had a couple of areas of loss to the gilding but is otherwise solid and robust. Overall the painting has a charming appearance bringing to life the Côte d’Azur of the early 20th century.
Dimensions:
Height: 47cm (18½”)
Width: 55cm (21½”)