Philippe Swyncop, Fontarabie

Philippe Swyncop, FontarabieThis early 20th century oil painting by Belgian artist Philippe Swyncop (1878 1949) depicts a colourful street in Fontarrabie, Spain. Fontarrabie, or Hondarribia as its known in Spanish, is a charming historic town situated close to the French border. Its oldest streets are surrounded by a 15th century wall and entered via a gateway that resembles a tiny castle. Here, the view is taken from the Denda Kalea looking towards the impressive 16th century

A charming late 19th-century Danish school still life depicting a vase with beech branches and apple blossom

Here we see her channelling the allure of a Marcel Baschet but with a softer touch that captures a gentler spirit

Tall slender trees provide strong vertical lines while the forest floor comes alive with bold horizontal marks

it’s rare to find a group portrait of three figures playing backgammon - so why did the artist opt for this composition

illustrator

Extracts from Matthiessen’s memoirs can be found here

Medium: Oil on canvasOverall size: 14” x 10” / 36cm x 26cmYear of creation: c

and later his partner

creates a vision of pastoral bliss:

Overall size 13” x 16½” / 33cm x 42cm

Frame with some light wear and a little damage on the bottom

and couples embrace before parting