French School Coastal Painting, 1933

French School Coastal Painting: Tossa de Mar, 1933

Oil on board ~20.5” x 14.75”

Painted in 1933 in the coastal town of Tossa de Mar, this work belongs to the French School of Post-Impressionism, a movement rooted in the bold color, visible brushwork, and atmospheric light.

Tossa de Mar — nicknamed “The Blue Paradise” by Marc Chagall was a thriving artist colony in the 1920s and 1930s, attracting French, Spanish, and international painters who came for its dramatic views.

Signed and dated lower right Tossa 1933, the painting shows hallmarks of plein air work: quick yet intentional strokes capturing light and shadow in real time, with colors mixed directly on the board.

Minor surface wear and small paint losses consistent with age

Styling ideas: This painting’s warm-cool contrast makes it adaptable. Pair it with rattan or light oak for a coastal Provençal mood, or set it against moody walls for a dramatic Mediterranean vignette. Works beautifully above a console with vintage ceramics, woven textures, or a single sculptural lamp.