Town by the Sea

A modernist style cityscape painting that captures a serene coastal town scene, executed in oil onto board and dated 1974.

The composition is dominated by the silhouette of an old stone ruin at its centre, set against the backdrop of a calm sea and expansive sky. Clustered houses with terracotta-red and ochre rooftops surround the structure, their geometric forms contrasting with the organic shapes of dark green trees and cypress spires. A distant ship with a faint plume of smoke drifts across the horizon, adding a subtle sense of movement to the otherwise still composition.

Executed in a restrained yet evocative style, the painting demonstrates the hallmarks of mid-century modernist sensibilities: simplified architectural forms, bold blocks of colour, and an emphasis on light and shadow over fine detail. The palette is dominated by earthy reds, warm ochres, deep greens, soft greys, and cool blues, evoking both warmth and calm. Brushstrokes are broad and confident, with flat planes of colour that interlock like pieces of a puzzle, while hints of texture enliven the sky and foliage.

Overall, the work conveys a quiet nostalgia – an atmospheric balance between human habitation, architectural history, and the vast, timeless presence of the sea.

This oil on canvas is presented in a complementary linen-lined wood frame. There is some light surface craquelure present in the central area of the canvas, but the overall condition is stable.

Size:  55 x 72 cm (including frame)