Normandy Seascape by Alfred Paul Émile Étienne Dumont (1828–1894). 19th Century French Marine Painting

A dramatic 19th-century French seascape by Alfred Paul Émile Étienne Dumont (1828–1894), depicting a stormy Normandy coastline with rowing figures and distant sailing ships. A beautifully atmospheric work presented in a richly carved gilt frame.

This striking marine painting captures the rugged coastline of Normandy, where cliffs rise abruptly above foaming surf and slate-grey skies. Two stone turreted buildings, characteristic of the region’s fortified architecture, anchor the composition on a rocky promontory. Below, a team of rowers fights the turbulent waves, their small craft pitching against the wind — a vivid counterpoint to the calm silhouettes of sailing ships on the horizon.

Dumont’s handling of light and atmosphere is superb: heavy clouds gathering above, sea spray flashing white, and the deep green-blue water shifting under the sky’s weight. Signed E. Dumont at lower left, the painting dates to the late 19th century, when Dumont was actively exhibiting marine works and coastal scenes. Dumont belonged to a strong tradition of French marine painters working in the wake of Isabey, Gudin and Garneray, all artists who brought poetic realism to naval and coastal subjects.

Good antique condition with expected craquelure and light surface wear. The painting is housed in a period gilt frame, carved with acanthus leaves, beading and foliate patterns that beautifully complement the scene’s depth and intensity. Frame has had some repairs in the past, shows warm patina and age-related imperfections.

Alfred Paul Émile Étienne Dumont (1828–1894)
French School
Oil on canvas
Circa 1870–1890
Signed lower left
Original ornate gilt frame

Artist Bio — Alfred Paul Émile Étienne Dumont (1828–1894)
Alfred Paul Émile Étienne Dumont was a 19th-century French/Swiss painter known for his landscapes and marine scenes. Active during the second half of the century, Dumont captured the dramatic character of France’s coastal regions and Switzerlands lakeland around Geneva and Lausanne. Known for strong compositions, moody atmospheres and careful attention to light. His work follows the lineage of the French Romantic and early Naturalist marine tradition and remains appreciated today for its narrative quality and sense of place.

Sizing incl Frame:
Height: 13.39 inch (34cm)
Width: 20.47 inch (52cm)
Depth: 2.17 inch (5.5cm)

Sizing Painting:
Height: 6.89 inch (17.5cm)
Width: 14.17 inch (36cm)
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