Victor Charreton, 1864-1936

Private Collection, England (since at least 1960)

Acquired from the above by the present owner

To Charretton, painting was a secondary pursuit, having initially trained for a career in law. His love of art, however, and his obvious talent, soon led him to paint on a more serious level. Through marriage, Charreton was introduced to the Auvergne region of France, where he was the frequent house guest of his father-in-law. According to Robert Chatin, this is most likely where the present work was painted.
Charreton's work is characterised by a highly decorative quality which clearly leans towards the influence of the early Impressionists. He uses a simplified palette, and a quick brushstroke ensures an unfinished appearance. In particular, Charreton was keen on leaving areas of his canvas completely unpainted, this being evident in the foreground of the painting opposite. This lightness of touch, together with the charming subject matter, serves to create the idea of this work as a snapshot of what must have been a happy time for Charreton at rest in the French countryside.