Umbrella Pins, Cote D'azur, 1922 by Friend of Claude Monet: French Mediterranean Provence Le Lavandou Landscape Oil on Canvas

I am proud to be able to present a painting by a noted Impressionist whose work almost never becomes available. A friend of Claude Monet and his family, Henri Maurice Pacquet (1890-1973) had long been neglected. This has changed in recent years. French museums - notably those in Normandy, where Monet and Pacquet were often active - have begun to present Paquet's work, notably during one man shows durning the annual "Normandy Impressionist Spring" festival.

Born in Glatigny, near the English Channel, Pacquet had studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris from 1912, and from 1918 started dividing his time between Paris and Giverny, where he became a neighbour of the Monets'. Initially close to Michel Monet, he soon became a friend of the family.

Here is an early 20th Century mediterranean landscape with the most exquisite colouring.

There are shades of purple and lavender which are almost hypnotic; stunning blue-whites that allow the sea to melt into the ocean; rainbow colours scintillating in the grass. Designed with clear lines, the painting has the simplicity and purity that we often find in East Asian art.

Monet and Pacquet painted the same places: the Maison Hochedé, Giverny, Vernon, the arms of the River Seine. Monet of course had been strongly influenced by Japanese art, and had also worked in the South of France, notably near Antibes.

Whilst painted at Le Lavandou, as indicates the artist on a label on the stretcher, our painting by Pacquet is a testimony of his connection with Monet.

The town - then just a village - of Le Lavandou, situated on the Cote d'Azur between Toulon and Cannes, derives its name either from the flower lavender, prevalent in the area.

Our painting has lovely provenance: it was exhibited at the annual exhibition of the "Association des Beaux Arts de Cannes" in 1922. Created in 1904, the Association was well known even in Paris. Famous members were Jean-Gabriel Domergue, Henri Lebasque, and Kees van Dongen.

Measuring 50 x 61 cm, the oil on cotton canvas is signed at the lower right and dated 1922. Exhibition labels are attached to the verso. Craquelure in areas is visible but has been professionally stabilised. The overall framed size is 60 x 72 cm.

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