A superb townscape painting of a Paris Canal with a view of Saint Denis Cathedral by Charles Euphrasie Kuwasseg. Medieval buildings are depicted lining the banks of a canal with the tower of the cathedral of St Denis beyond. To the far left, a group of figures can be seen waiting as a boat docks. In the mid distance a boat is shown moored before a bridge bustling with people as they go about their business.

Charles Kuwasseg was born at Draveil, Paris in 1838 the son of the Austrian artist Karl (Charles) Joseph Kuwasseg (1802- 1877) and Marie Victoire Lebrun. His uncles Joseph Kuwasseg (1799-1859) and Leopod Kuwasseg (1804-1862) were also artists. His father undoubtedly played an influential role in his artistic development, as like him, he specialised in coastal and marine scenes. He often signed his works ‘C.Kuwasseg fils’ (son), to distinguish himself from his father who was also known as Charles. In 1855, he made his debut at the Paris Salon continuing to regularly exhibit there over the years and winning a bronze medal in 1892. During the early 1860’s he lived at 8 Rue de Strasbourg in Paris.

Kuwasseg specialised in coastal views particularly of the Normandy and Brittany coast. As well as painting views of Northern France, he also spent time travelling around visiting Belgium, Holland and Italy. After returning to France, he continued his artistic studies training under the marine artist Jean-Baptiste Henri Durand-Brager (1814-1879) and Jean-Baptiste Isabey (1767-1855).

As well as continuing to paint and exhibit, he also became a professor of art to students including Marie Joseph Clavel Iwill (1850-1923). He died on 28 October, 1904 at Essonne, France aged 71. A number of his works can be found in museums and collections including the Pontoise, Rouen, Perigueux, Digne, La Rochelle and Montreal Museum.

© Benton Fine Art