Framed oil on panel by Maurice Levis

Maurice levis. French ( 1860 - 1940 ). Vallée du thouet à thouars. Oil on panel. Signed. Image size 12.4 inches X 15.4 inches ( 31.5cm X 39cm ) Frame size 18.7 inches X 21.9 inches ( 47.5cm X 55.5cm ) Available for sale from big sky fine art in the english county of dorset is this original oil painting by the french artist maurice levis, dating from around 1920. The painting is presented and supplied in its original ornate frame (which is shown in these photographs). This antique painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display. The painting is signed lower right. Levis was born in paris on 11 november 1860. He was competent from an early age and received his formal art training by studying under some of the finest french artists of the day, namely henri joseph harpignies, jules lefebvre and pierre billet. He was active in the academy from 1886 and became a member of les artistes francais in 1888. He exhibited his first painting at the salon at the age of 26. He received several awards from the academy, including the medaille d’or in 1927, a distinction in 1895 and a third-place medal in 1896. Levis lived in france during the rise of french impressionism and derived much of his vision from the impressionist style, as can be seen in his loose brush strokes and choice of palette which create charming and atmospheric works. He became devoted to capturing the beauty of the french countryside, often painting small scale studies of the northern france and brittany in particular. His landscapes often depicted the lives of the people who lived in them; the villagers of breton going about their chores, women washing clothes at the river, farmers tending livestock and fishermen setting sail. His scenes remind us of a lifestyle now gone by. In the course of his career levis travelled throughout france and possibly also into northern africa. He died in 1940 at the age of 80.

Ref. : R2DGSBAV