A Lovely Oil on Canvas Painting of a Normandy Beach at Low Tide by French Painter André Borrel.
Born in Paris in 1912, Borrel was a self-taught painter who drew inspiration from the “Father of Impressionism,” Eugène Boudin.
He exhibited his works at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris starting in 1946, and later at the Salon d’Automne.
Deeply inspired by Eugène Boudin, he painted scenes of the Norman coast, sometimes featuring ships.
However, his favorite subject remained scenes of Norman beaches bustling with elegant ladies dressed in “Belle Époque” attire.
His paintings are generally very lively and imbued with realism, featuring shimmering colors.
A Norman beach at low tide—such is the setting Borrel chose for this painting.
A few elegant ladies, sheltered by their parasols, stroll along the beach while children play in the puddles.
Sailboats lie tilted on their sides due to the lack of water, while on the horizon, a steamship belches black smoke.
The sky, though cloudy, remains surprisingly luminous.
Borrel treats his skies in a remarkable manner—always in motion, heavily clouded, yet consistently realistic.
Indeed, he assigns a major role to this element, as it occupies the upper two-thirds of the composition.
The overall composition is well-balanced, featuring soft, harmonious tones that lend the work a distinctly romantic and peaceful quality.
A truly beautiful work by Borrel.
Oil on canvas, signed in the lower left corner, set in a gilded wooden frame.
Unframed: 7 ½ x 13 inches
Framed: 15 x 20 inches