A beautiful oil on canvas depicting a picturesque riverside scene by Belgian painter, Victor Gilsoul (1867-1939). Gilsoul’s relaxed expressive brushwork adds to the easy-going nature of this piece - yet it also carries a hint of melancholy.

Gilsoul was a precocious talent who from the age of 12 was impressing regulars at the pub he was raised in. His parents Leopold and Thérèse ran the pub, which was popular with local painters and artists. Despite the protestations of his father, Victor was keen to pursue painting as a career - encouraged by the glowing reviews of those around him.

By the age of 17, his work had been shown at the prestigious salon in Brussels and he’d also won first prize at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. And by 30, he was selling works to royalty including King Leopold II and the Prince of Bavaria.

However, despite his successes, he also suffered some low points including a stay in a psychiatric hospital following a conviction for arson. This coincided with the separation from his wife.

Today, Gilsoul’s paintings can be found in several public collections including in Luxembourg, Namur, Ostende, Mons, Dordrecht, Brighton and Barcelona.

The painting is signed in the lower right and housed within a fine gilded Rococo revival frame with foliate decoration and swept corners.

Medium: Oil on board laid on wood
Overall size: 25” x 21½” / 63cm x 54cm
Year of creation: c. 1900
Provenance: Belgium
Condition: Some minor paint loss on the right but otherwise fine. Frame with some age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £23,348 achieved for ‘De Bompjes, Rotterdam’ at Christie’s in 1997.