Village Houses, France

A close view of a collection of village houses, one with a gateway flanked by two trees. Appentis to the foreground.

An en plein air, alla prima sketch, using a light palette and visible slight impasto in the fluid brush marks, especially in the over painting of lighter tones. The sky is rapidly and loosely sketched and shows signs of ‘pick up’ of the blue in the white clouds.

Possibly Alec Fleming (attribution uncertain).

Unsigned. The catalogue gives only “A Fleming”, and the reverse carries the ‘A Fleming’ marker, which the catalogue’s introductory note says may denote ownership rather than authorship. The work is therefore not attributed to Alec Fleming on that basis.

Catalogue wording: “A Fleming”

How attributions are worded

A Fleming in marker in block letters. The palimpsest of an abandoned’fir st run’ sketch in red crayon, of the same scene. Affixed label shows dimension of the palette, plus 6 F [possibly the price] and a manufacturers label for the panel ]’au louvreunis France]

The reverse is marked “A Fleming” in block capitals. Many boards in the collection carry this marking, and some of them are considered to be by Barbara Fleming. The marking may record ownership rather than authorship and is not treated here as evidence of attribution.

Fair. Some slight foxing. No water damage. flattening to all four corners. Top left corner is lost.