Pair of Early 20th Century French Views by British Artist Alfred Bentley

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Evoking the picturesque character of historic France, this pair of antique oil paintings presents atmospheric views of Morlaix in Brittany … Read more Evoking the picturesque character of historic France, this pair of antique oil paintings presents atmospheric views of Morlaix in Brittany and Rodez in southern France. Painted in France circa 1910, the canvases are by British painter and etcher Alfred Bentley (1879–1923). Each work is signed “A. Bentley” at the lower right and additionally signed and titled on the reverse.

Morlaix, Brittany depicts the town’s distinctive timber-framed houses bordering a narrow waterway, with townspeople and market stalls enlivening the foreground beneath the commanding silhouette of a Gothic church tower. Its companion, inscribed Rhodez, France, portrays a bustling medieval street lined with steep-roofed houses and small figures, all dominated by the soaring tower of Rodez Cathedral. Bentley’s precise architectural observation, warm earth-toned palette, and softly illuminated skies give both compositions a romantic Old World atmosphere.

Bentley studied etching and engraving at the Royal College of Art under Sir Frank Short. He traveled through France with fellow artist Malcolm Osborne, finding inspiration in medieval streets, churches, and regional architecture. He became an associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in 1908 and a full member in 1913. Bentley also exhibited at the Royal Academy, taught etching at Goldsmiths, and is represented in the collection of the British Museum.

The paintings are presented in matching ornate giltwood frames with molded floral, foliate, and Rococo-style scroll decoration. Both are in excellent overall condition commensurate with age and use.

Dimensions: 19.25″ W x 23.25″ H each. See less