Bidspirit auction | George E. Browne ”Scene in

George E. Browne ”Scene in Provence” Painting - George Elmer Browne (American, 1871-1946). Oil on canvas impressionist painting titled ”Scene in Provence, ” early 20th century. Depicting a group of men and women gathered along the river's edge washing clothes. Featuring a woman in a blue dress and hat resting along the sandy riverbank beneath the shade of a large, mature tree along the center. A stone arched bride spans across the calm water, framed by tall, slender poplar trees against a soft blue sky along the background. Signed along the lower right. With an Arvest Galleries label adhered along the verso. Ink stamp of Lucien Lefevre-Foinet along the verso, a Parisian art supplier who provided canvases to Piet Mondrian, Sam Francis, and Alberto Giacometti among others. Browne was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and founded the West End School of Art at his summer home in Provincetown in 1916. Located at the tip of Cape Cod, the school reflected Browne's commitment to teaching the principles of Impressionism. ”Scene in Provence” was likely painted during this period, while Browne was actively teaching at the West End School of Art and making one of his many summer trips from his studio in New York to his vacation home in Massachusetts. The school was one of five summer art schools in Provincetown, all of which helped transform the town into a thriving art colony during the 20th century. Provenance: Arvest Galleries, Boston, MA, November 23, 1988; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Unframed; height: 39 3/4 in x width: 32 in. Framed; height: 49 in x width: 41 in x depth: 2 3/4 in. Condition: The colors are bold and bright. There is craquelure throughout. No signs of restoration or inpainting under UV light. Some wear including fraying and small losses to the extreme edges of the canvas along the verso. Light wear to the frame.