Large Painting “Les Goémoniers”, by A. Le Guen – 1969

In this large oil on canvas by André Le Guen (1929-2016), a Breton seascape unfolds beneath a soft, diffuse light. The sea has receded, revealing a vast expanse of wet sand, reflecting the silhouettes of plainly dressed figures. Two donkey carts advance slowly along the foreshore, guided by simply dressed Breton peasants. Another solitary figure walks at a distance, lost in thought. This peaceful scene illustrates an ancestral practice deeply rooted in Breton culture: seaweed gathering. On the Breton coast, this activity was once common and essential to rural life. The seaweed, recognizable by its long, flexible strips and air-filled vesicles, was pulled out using tridents or seaweed hooks. Once harvested, they were loaded onto carts and transported to the fields to enrich the soil with their rich mineral content. This painting pays homage to a simple and hardworking way of life, dictated by the tides and the seasons, where the sea provided much more than fish: it also nourished the land. With the subtlety of its palette, the softness of its light, and the quiet nobility of its figures, this work exudes a rare charisma. It captures with silent grace all the harsh and poetic beauty of eternal Brittany. ******** Period: 1969. Very good condition. Note that the canvas has been restored. Delivery by quote in France and internationally. Dimensions: Width: 173 cm. Height: 103 cm. Depth: 8 cm. Reference: 090725.