Abstracted Modernist Seaside Scene, the Harbour at Le Croisic, Brittany, France, August 1968, Large Maritime Drawing by Cara Costea

This intriguing drawing by the French artist of Romanian origin Philippe Cara Costea (1925-2006) is like a puzzle: almost an abstract work of art from afar, it becomes a wonderful summer scene when observed close up.

Depicted is the old harbour at Le Croisic, a lively seaside town in Brittany. If you look carefully, you'll find the Hotel Masson, the city's emblematic grand hotel; a ship; people; an ice cream van. The ivory white of the laid paper is an integral part of the artwork, giving it is modernist feel.

Fresh and whimsical, it is had to believe that is drawing is 51 years old: is was drawn in china ink on August 8, 1968.

The artist, Philippe Cara Costea studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and the Academie de la Grande

Chaumiere with Emile Othon Friesz.

The Museum of Modern Art in Paris, the Museums of Tours, Poitiers and Blois, the Art

Institute of Chicago, and the National Library of France other public institutions own his

works. In addition to numerous one-man shows in France, he exhibited in Lausanne - at

the prestigious Galerie Paul Vallotton - in Tunis, at the New York Coliseum, in San

Francisco, Cologne, and Brussels.

He exhibited all the major French national shows, such as the Salon d'Automne, the Salon des Artistes Français, the Salon Comparaisons.

One of Cara Costea's gallerists was Jean Claude Bellier.

Son of an auctioneer and Edouard Vuillard's godson, Bellier was the youngest-ever art expert at the Paris auction house, as well as a great dealer in Modern Art. Having organised important exhibitions in Paris and New York for the Galerie Charpentier, Jean Claud Bellier sets up his own gallery in Paris

in 1960. There, he showcased Cara Costea's work in 1961,1963, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1974.

Our drawing comes from Jean Claude Bellier, giving it wonderful provenance.

Measuring 49 x 64 cm, offered unframed. The artwork is in good condition, with a few discreet discolorations in background areas.

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.