348 - 18th-century French school, circle of Lazare Bruandet (1755–1804)

18th-century French school, circle of Lazare Bruandet (1755–1804) Rural landscape animated by figures, featuring a thatched cottage by a stream; watercolor with gouache on paper 14.7 x 19.8 cm (viewing area) A few pinholes, 1 small woodworm hole Carved and gilded wooden frame from the Louis XVI period, decorated with pearl friezes and heart-shaped motifs, embellished with cascading acanthus leaves on the side panels and a pediment carved with small flowers and stylized foliage (signs of wear, trimmed) Expert: Mégane OLLIVIER This delicate landscape, characterized by rustic nature, freely rendered vegetation, and small figures enlivening the composition, evokes the world of Lazare Bruandet, whose work reflects a marked interest in naturalistic landscapes inspired by Dutch art. The softness of the color palette, the hazy distances, and the picturesque quality of the scene can also be linked to the landscapes composed by Jean Pillement, who favored a more poetic and decorative vision of nature. The use of gouache-like watercolor and the peaceful atmosphere of the composition thus place this work within the tradition of French landscape painting from the second half of the 18th century.