Best remembered for her wonderful renditions of the fisher folk of Concarneau along the Brittany coast, Emma Herland was born in Cherbourg on the 16^th of February 1856.  She received her formal art training at the Ecole Francais from such masters as Jules Lefebvre, Benjamin Constant and other painters of the plein-air school.  Having completed her studies, she exhibited at the Salon from 1879 and also at the Society of French Artists from 1886.  Herland was awarded an Honourable Mention in 1901.  Examples of her work are exhibited at Le Musee de Saint-Brieuc. Upon observation, Sur La Place a Concarneau is painted in a fresh and spontaneous moment, achieved only by the most accomplished of artists.  Sunlight floods through the market square, demonstrating the artist’s interest on the effects of light and colour.  Herland pays great attention to detail, while simultaneously implementing free brush technique, superb in its breath of handling and brilliant colour.  Besides being delightful in itself, this painting is a wonderful insight into a time long past, and it was exhibited at the Paris Salon.  

POMPEO MASSANI
1850-1920
A Great Vintage
Date:  circa 1890
Framed Size: 42.5 inches by 54.5 inches

Frederick Bacon Barwell was an important English artist who specialized in genre and domestic scenes.  He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and was much influenced by his friend Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1836).  The two often worked together in Barwell’s studio, and interestingly, Millais completed some of his most important paintings while working together.  After having completed his studies, Barwell exhibited widely in London and the provinces, including: the Royal Academy, British Institution and Royal Society of British Artists with titles: “The London Gazette” 1855; “Adopting a Child” 1857; “A Perplexing Letter” 1874. Frederick Barwell was greatly admired by both his contemporaries and critics alike, including John Ruskin, perhaps the most discerning of all, who described his work as “expressive and well considered.”  Flitting is a superb example of his work, both in execution and subject matter.  It tells the story of an English family “flitting” with all their family goods and pets.  Painted with accuracy and enormous detail, it epitomizes the very best of Barwell’s work. 

Acknowledged as one of the finest painters and engravers of the period, Theodore Gerard specialized in genre and landscape paintings.  He was born in Ghent on the 9^th of December 1829 and died in Laeken on the 3^rd of July 1895.  He studied at the Academie of Fine Arts in Ghent and traveled throughout Germany, Austria and Hungary, finally settling in Brussels in 1863, where he taught at the Academie of Fine Arts.  He was awarded medals at exhibitions in Philadelphia 1870, London 1871, Vienna 1873, and Brussels in 1875. Examples of Gerard’s work may be seen at the following museums: Brussels Museum, “Village Fair in the Souabe”;  Ghent Museum, “Here’s to the Pastor’s Health”;  Courtrai Museum, “Artist and Study in the Country”; and Antwerp Museum, “Guests at the Ball.” Noted for his genre scenes of cottage interiors with children, “La Regale” is painted with accuracy and fine attention to detail, epitomizing the very best of Theodore Gerard’s work.  It is presented in pristine condition in an original period frame and is signed by the artist.

This accomplished genre artist was born in Bernkastel, Germany in 1844.  He spent his childhood in America and on completing his education, Engel traveled to France to embark on his painting career.  He also studied at the Academie de Munich and on completion of these studies, he exhibited in Dresden and Munich between 1879 and 1884.Johann Freidrich Engel is best remembered and admired for his renditions of country life with children playing with animals.  His work demonstrates fine attention to detail and conveys the atmosphere of these scenes in a sensitive and truthful manner executed like only the most accomplished of artists could achieve.All Aboard and Home We Go is a charming example of a time long past, and a true representation of 19^th century genre painting.  It is presented in excellent condition and is signed and dated by the artist.