Soleil Couchant à travers les Pins (Sunset through the Pines)
Painting on canvas • Georges Ricard-Cordingley (1873-1939)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism with strong Tonalist and Symbolist influences
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing sfumato and atmospheric glazing to achieve the hazy, luminous quality of the sky and subtle chiaroscuro at the sun's focal point.
Creation Period
Early 20th century (circa 1910-1925)
Dimensions & Format
100 cm x 74 cm (excluding frame); Landscape format
Subject Description
A coastal landscape featuring a cluster of umbrella pines (parasol pines) in the foreground. The sun is positioned low on the horizon, glowing through the network of branches and casting a warm light over the water and shore. The composition emphasizes the ephemeral glow of dusk and the silhouette of Mediterranean flora.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The canvas appears stable with some minor surface grime and natural varnish yellowing.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $6,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,500 - $5,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a French or UK private collection. The artist was active in both France (Cannes/Boulogne-sur-Mer) and England, frequently exhibiting scenes of the French Riviera.
Art Historical Significance
Ricard-Cordingley was a celebrated maritime and landscape painter known for his poetic treatment of light. This work is significant for its large scale and its mastery of atmospheric perspective, characteristic of his explorations of the Mediterranean coast.
Notable Features
Housed in a high-quality ornate gilded Louis XV-style plaster and wood frame. The play of light through the 'voids' in the tree branches is a hallmark of the artist's mature technique.
Condition Issues
Evidence of light craquelure in the thicker impasto areas of the sunset; peripheral scuffing consistent with contact against the inner frame rebate; minor yellowing of aged varnish.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh are recommended. Ensure environmental stability (45-55% humidity) and use UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment fading.
Collector Notes
GEORGES RICARD CORDINGLEY (1873-1939) 100 cm x 74 without the frame