Oil Painting of a Canal Scene with Boats and Pedestrians from Late 19th Century

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This oil on canvas painting from the late 19th century depicts a serene scene. In the center of the composition … Read more This oil on canvas painting from the late 19th century depicts a serene scene. In the center of the composition sits a busy canal, with a wooden bridge in the background. Along the canal are pedestrians, including a mother and her two children, passing in front of a number of tall stone houses with red roofs. The bridge too has pedestrians. The color red is reprised in the large boat on the left with the sails. The canal in this scene is a flurry of activity, supporting no less than six boats of various sizes and shapes at various points as well as baskets in the foreground. If you pay attention to what is actually happening in this exquisite scene, you will discover that almost every character has stopped their activity to look at something. Or someone. Then, you will realize that everyone seems to be looking at you! While we may think that the subject of this oil painting circa 1880 is a canal with boats and people, the whimsical truth might be that the viewer, is the subject! The liveliness of the scene is undeniable, the subtlety of the colors is elegant. This painting set into a giltwood frame, would be a great asset on any wall. See less