Antique French Barbizon Landscape Oil Painting – River at Dusk, 19th Century, Gold Framed

An exceptional Barbizon landscape dated 1873 by French artist Charles Donzel (1824–1889). Charles Donzel, an accomplished 19th-century painter associated with the naturalistic traditions that grew from the Barbizon School. The composition captures a tranquil riverside setting at dusk, where tall slender trees rise against a softly fading sky and their reflections shimmer in still water below.

The atmosphere is contemplative and intimate. Donzel’s restrained palette of deep greens, muted browns, and pale sky tones creates a harmonious balance between shadow and light. The handling of the foliage and the subtle atmospheric recession demonstrate careful observation of nature, a hallmark of the Barbizon movement.

Good antique condition with light age-related craquelure and surface wear consistent with its period. The wood panel has had a historical repair that is well done, it is stable and sound. The frame shows wear and patina appropriate to its age, enhancing the authentic character of the piece. The painting is housed in its period gilt frame, whose rich detailing and warm patina beautifully complement the depth and mood of the composition.

Artist Bio – Charles Donzel (1824–1889)
Charles Donzel was born in Besançon in 1824 and later settled in Paris, where he died in 1889. Although he initially considered pursuing music and sculpture, he ultimately chose to dedicate himself entirely to painting. Donzel became known as both a landscape painter and watercolorist, and he regularly exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1859 onward. Working during the height of the Barbizon movement, he developed close friendships with leading artists such as Camille Corot, Constant Troyon, and Charles-François Daubigny. Because water features so prominently in his compositions, rivers, ponds, and reflective wetlands, his contemporaries affectionately referred to him as the “painter of water.” His work frequently depicts regions including Limousin, Franche-Comté, Maine, and Normandy, where he focused on atmosphere, reflection, and the subtle interplay of light across landscape.

French School
Oil on wood panel
Dated 1873
Signed Charles Donzel
Barbizon landscape
Period gilt frame

Sizing incl Frame:
Height: 20.87 inch (53cm)
Width: 26.38 inch (67cm)
Depth: 3.15 inch (8cm)

Sizing Painting:
Height: 10.63 inch (27cm)
Width: 15.75 inch (40cm)
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