£2,950.00
A wonderfully atmospheric and accomplished 19th-century Belgian stable interior by Gustave Colsoulle (1843–1895), depicting two horses within a rustic barn accompanied by chickens and a magnificent cockerel.
A wonderfully atmospheric and accomplished 19th-century Belgian stable interior by Gustave Colsoulle (1843–1895), depicting two horses within a rustic barn accompanied by chickens and a magnificent cockerel.
Painted in oil on oak panel and signed G. Colsoulle to the lower right, the work is believed to be an early example from the artist's career, probably dating to the 1870s.
The composition centres upon a beautifully modelled pale horse standing prominently within the shadowed stable, with a darker chestnut horse partially visible immediately behind. Colsoulle has used the contrast between the two animals particularly effectively: the pale horse catches the available light, its muscular form picked out in passages of cream, grey and warm ochre, while the second horse recedes naturally into the darker interior.
Across the straw-covered foreground is a wonderfully observed group of poultry. Hens scratch amongst the straw while a colourful cockerel stands close to the open doorway, its rich russet plumage and dark green-black tail providing a small but striking concentration of colour.
These details are beautifully handled. Viewed closely, the birds are constructed from confident individual strokes and touches of impasto, particularly noticeable in the white hen in the foreground. The straw is similarly energetic, built from layers of ochre, gold and brown that become remarkably convincing when the painting is viewed as a whole.
Light is an important element of the composition. Much of the barn remains in warm, earthy shadow, while the pale horse, poultry and scattered straw catch softer areas of illumination. To the right, daylight entering through the open doorway provides a strong counterpoint to the darker stable interior and gives this relatively intimate panel an impressive sense of depth.
Gustave Colsoulle (1843–1895) was a Belgian painter associated particularly with equestrian, animal and rural subjects. Born in Bruges in 1843, horses and stable interiors became recurring subjects within his work.
Colsoulle is represented in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). The museum's collection includes his Paarden (Horses), dated 1878, together with Hoeve (Farm), placing the present painting within a well-documented area of the artist's oeuvre.
Other recorded works by Colsoulle depict horses within stable interiors, including signed examples executed in oil on oak panel, providing particularly useful comparisons with the present painting.
The painting is signed G. Colsoulle to the lower right.
There is some age-related surface wear in this area, particularly immediately below and around the signature, which has softened portions of the inscription. The signature nevertheless remains identifiable and is consistent with the artist's name.
No date is visible alongside the signature.
On stylistic grounds, we believe the painting to be an early work by Colsoulle, probably dating to the 1870s. His museum-held Horses is securely dated 1878, providing a useful point of comparison for his equestrian work during this period. The circa dating given here is therefore a stylistic assessment rather than a date inscribed on the painting.
The painting is presented within an exceptionally substantial antique giltwood and composition frame, which gives the work considerably greater presence than the dimensions of the oak panel alone might suggest.
Deeply moulded and richly ornamented, the frame incorporates scrolling foliate and acanthus decoration together with beaded and leaf-moulded borders. The gilded surface has mellowed attractively with age and displays the variation, rubbing and minor imperfections expected of an antique frame.
At approximately 9 cm deep, it gives the painting a particularly architectural appearance when hung and complements the warm palette of the stable interior beautifully.
The painting presents very well for its age, retaining an attractive and characterful painted surface.
There is expected age-related surface texture and craquelure together with a small area of wear towards the lower right, immediately below and around the signature, which can be seen clearly within our detailed photographs. Further minor marks and surface imperfections are consistent with the age of the work.
The oak panel remains securely housed within its frame.
The antique gilt frame displays expected age-related rubbing, marks, minor losses and variation to the gilded surface, contributing to its attractive period character.
Acquired by Shackleton Fox in Belgium, just outside Bruges, the city in which Gustave Colsoulle was born.
This represents the painting's recent acquisition provenance and is not intended to imply an earlier documented chain of ownership.
Overall framed
Height: 54 cm / 21.3 inches
Width: 71 cm / 28 inches
Depth: 9 cm / 3.5 inches
Weight: 6.8 kg / 15 lbs
Oak panel / visible painting
Height: 30 cm / 11.8 inches
Width: 47 cm / 18.5 inches
Artist: Gustave Colsoulle (Belgian, 1843–1895)
Title: Stable Interior with Horses and Chickens
Date: Circa 1875
Period: 19th century
Country / Origin: Belgium
Medium: Oil on oak panel
Signature: Signed lower right, G. Colsoulle
Subject: Horses, chickens and cockerel within a stable interior
Frame: Substantial antique giltwood and composition frame
Provenance: Acquired in Belgium, just outside Bruges
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