A watercolour on paper depicting a coastal landscape showing a bay opening out onto the sea and a high rocky cliff. The shoreline, composed of rocks in shades of brown, ochre and purple, contrasts with the blue-green and turquoise waters. The clear sky, rendered in light washes, envelops the scene in a soft, slightly misty light. The work reflects an interest in coastal landscapes and the rendering of atmospheric effects through the transparency of watercolour.


Signed in red in the lower right-hand corner F. Gautier. 


GAUTIER, François 1842–1917
French painter, active in Marseille, specialising in seascapes and landscapes of the Mediterranean coast. A pupil of Johanny Rave at the Marseille School, he is said to have associated with Émile Loubon, Jean-Baptiste Olive and Adolphe Monticelli. He exhibited at the Paris Salon between 1866 and 1870. His body of work consists mainly of views of Marseille, the harbour of Toulon, boats at sea and naval scenes. He worked primarily in oil on canvas. His works are now mainly held in private collections.