20th-Century French School

About the Painting

This oil on cardboard painting by French artist M. Davic presents a village street scene, rendered in bold, expressive strokes characteristic of the Post-Impressionist tradition. The composition draws the viewer into a narrow, winding road lined with rustic houses and red-tiled roofs, leading toward a stand of autumnal trees that crown the background. The brushwork is vigorous and confident, with visible texture and layered pigment that bring a tactile quality to the scene.

The color palette—muted greys, soft blues, deep greens, and warm earth tones—reflects a moody, atmospheric day, likely in late autumn or early winter. The buildings lean slightly inward, lending the piece a dynamic, almost sculptural rhythm. The overall aesthetic suggests the influence of early 20th-century French painters such as Maurice Utrillo, Émile Othon Friesz, or the School of Pont-Aven, known for capturing provincial life with emotional depth and tonal harmony.

Signed "M. Davic" in the lower right corner, this work is housed in a finely carved antique wooden frame with classical beading and egg-and-dart motifs. The painting likely dates from the 1930s, a period when many regional artists in France produced small-format oils for the Parisian salon and boutique market. The work represents the continuation of Post-Impressionist landscape traditions into the interwar period.

About the Artist

M. Davic was a French painter active during the early to mid-20th century, known for his depictions of village life and rural landscapes. Little is documented about his life, but his work suggests an artist grounded in Post-Impressionist traditions, with a focus on local color, expressive brushwork, and a strong connection to the French countryside.

Davic's paintings often feature quiet towns, winding roads, and the changing seasons—scenes that capture the character and atmosphere of rural France during a period of rapid modernization. His approach reflects the broader movement among regional French artists of the 1920s and 1930s who continued to work in Post-Impressionist styles even as avant-garde movements dominated the major urban centers.

Working primarily in oil on cardboard and canvas, Davic created intimate landscape studies that emphasized mood and atmosphere over precise topographical detail. His technique shows familiarity with the work of earlier Post-Impressionist masters, particularly in his use of visible brushwork, simplified forms, and harmonious color relationships.

Davic's paintings are occasionally found in private collections and smaller European galleries, valued for their sincere vision and direct execution. His work represents an important strand of French provincial painting from the interwar period, documenting the rural landscapes and village life that were rapidly changing during the early 20th century.

Technical Details

Artist: M. Davic (active early-mid 20th century)
Signed: Lower right corner
Date: c.1930s
Medium: Oil on cardboard
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 25 x 33.5 cm / 9¾ x 13¼ in
Frame: 34 x 43 cm / 13½ x 17 in, antique carved wood with beading and egg-and-dart motifs, very good condition
Origin: France

An atmospheric example of French provincial Post-Impressionist landscape painting from the 1930s.