Gezicht op Concarneau

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Gezicht op Concar** (View of Concarneau an exquisite etching by French artist Maxime François Antoine Lal from 1874, invites visitors to the rugged charm of Brittany's coastline. Lalanne (1827–1886), a master etcher and painter, was renowned for his precise renderings of landscapes and architecture during the 19th-century etching revival. This work captures the bustling fishing port of Concarneau a favored subject for artists drawn to its dramatic seas and fortified walls, evoking the era's fascination with regional French life amid the rise of Realism and early Impressionism. Crafted as a modest etching measuring 186 × 238 mm, the piece showcases the medium's strengths: its ability to produce intricate lines and tonal depth through acid-bitten plates, allowing Lalanne to convey texture—from weathered stone to shimmering water—with remarkable fidelity. Etchings like this were prized for their affordability and reproducibility, bridging fine art and printmaking in an age of expanding collector audiences. A collector's mark on the verso (Lugt 2228) hints at its esteemed provenance, linking it to a distinguished European collection. This intimate print offers a window into 19th-century Brittany, blending technical virtuosity with evocative storytelling for modern admirers.