Port Of Cannes & Suquet / Year 1959 / Fernand Laval (1886-1966) / Oil On Canvas

"Port of Cannes, 1959" – Fernand Laval (1886-1966) A very luminous oil on canvas by Fernand Laval, painted in 1959, depicting the port of Cannes with a remarkable mastery of the play of light and color.

62 x 92 unframed

This painting captures the vibrant atmosphere of the French Riviera, with its sparkling waters, peacefully moored boats, and the picturesque facades of the old town set against a bright Mediterranean sky. Fernand Laval, a post-impressionist painter, is known for his colorful and expressive style, influenced by the French artistic tradition of the early 20th century. In this work, his dynamic brushwork and rich palette convey both the softness and energy of the Cannes landscape, offering an authentic vision of port life in the late 1950s. The painting offers an iconic view of the old town of Cannes, with Le Suquet dominating the scene. The historic buildings, bathed in light, create a striking contrast with the intense blue of the port. Laval succeeds in capturing the unique perspective from the port, giving the viewer a sense of immersion in this Mediterranean panorama where the charm of the architectural heritage blends with the bustling port. Signed and dated by the artist in the lower left corner, this canvas is also titled on the back.

Fernand Laval (1886-1966) Fernand Laval was a French painter born in 1886 and died in 1966. He arrived in Paris in 1912, where he became friends with Maurice Utrillo and roamed the streets of Montmartre with his easel. In 1913, he married Rachel Cohenet. Laval made his first notable appearance at the Salon d'Automne in 1920, presenting a painting entitled "From Montmartre to Les Halles," thus establishing his place in the Parisian art scene. During the years 1927-1928, Laval also worked abroad, notably in the Netherlands, where he painted numerous windmills, and in Belgium, where he immortalized the port of Antwerp. However, he remained deeply attached to Paris, finding inspiration in the heart of the capital, in Montmartre, the Sacré-Cœur, the Parisian suburbs, the old fortifications, and the Canal Saint-Martin. In 1963, as a tribute to Renoir, Laval painted La Collette, the master's house in Cagnes-sur-Mer. In his later works, he adopted a darker palette, with tones of brown, earth, and black, marking a shift toward a more intimate and profound expression. Fernand Laval left behind a rich body of work, testifying to a view of urban and maritime life that is both poetic and realistic, between Impressionist tradition and a strong modern sensibility.