French Riviera Oil on Canvas Painting Signed G. Van Puyenbroeck, Dated 1932

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Set in its original silvered leaf frame, this vibrant oil on canvas captures the sunlit charm of the island of … Read more Set in its original silvered leaf frame, this vibrant oil on canvas captures the sunlit charm of the island of Porquerolles on the French Riviera, painted in 1932. The scene depicts a Provençal village with terracotta rooftops, a church steeple rising over the clustered houses, and vineyard rows in the foreground, all set against a backdrop of deep blue waters and distant mountains under a luminous, cloud-filled sky. The artist’s rich brushwork and warm palette convey both atmosphere and place, creating a work full of depth and natural harmony. Signed in the lower right corner by Gregoor Van Puyenbroeck and dated on the verso, the painting remains in very good condition commensurate with age and use, with fresh, lively colors and appealing surface texture.
Gregoor Van Puyenbroeck (Belgium, 1906–1982) was part of a family of artists, the brother of painter Jan Van Puyenbroeck. He studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts and the Institut des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp, where he was a pupil of Walter Vaes (1876–1959), a well-regarded Belgian impressionist and portrait painter. In 1926, he was awarded the Prix Van Lerius, a prestigious recognition for young artists in Antwerp. Working in the realist tradition of the Antwerp School, Van Puyenbroeck’s paintings are characterized by their vibrant yet controlled use of color, strong compositional balance, and atmospheric detail. He exhibited frequently in Belgium and France, and his works are documented in Benezit’s Dictionary of Artists, confirming his established reputation.
This painting is an excellent example of his style, balancing realism with painterly expressiveness. It reflects his deep understanding of light and landscape, and the influence of the Antwerp School’s focus on tonal harmony and careful observation of nature.
Measurements: 29.5″ W x 23.5″ H See less