Les Champs

20th-century oil painting on hardboard signed Pierre Agnès (1898–1964). The work is named "Corps de ferme" (Farmhouse) and is dated 25 for 1925.

This bright and quintessential early 20th-century landscape oil painting on wood shows a traditional farm in Brittany. The stone house and barns form an enclosed courtyard — the center of rural life. The fields surrounding the farm sweep outward in long, linear bands of color, representing crops in full growth. By contrast, the sky is a vibrant blue, filled with robust cumulus clouds. Agnès’ adeptness as a painter is especially visible in the grasses and clouds, where his brushstrokes create a tactile sense of texture and movement.

This painting is in very good condition. There are some light surface marks across the oil and wood, most notably above the artist’s signature; however, these are minor and do not detract from the beauty of the work. The antique frame is also in good condition, though it is missing some outer moulding (visible in photos).

About the artist: 

Born in Maisons-Laffitte (northwest of Paris), Pierre Agnès grew up in his father’s ornamental ironworking workshop. In 1915, he entered the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, but his studies were interrupted by the First World War, in which he served as a volunteer.

After the war, he worked as a draughtsman and decorator in Paris and the surrounding region while continuing to paint privately. From 1922 onwards, Brittany (Loctudy, then Camaret) became a regular source of inspiration; his paintings show a sustained attention to light and coastal atmosphere.

He exhibited at the Salon des Beaux-Arts (1930–1932) and the Salon des Indépendants (1948–1949). Recurring subjects — countryside landscapes, seascapes, everyday life, family scenes, animal studies, and wartime drawings — reflect an art rooted in lived experience and memory.

• Overall Size: 14.5" x 17.7" / 37.5cm x 45.5cm.
• Size without frame: 10.2" x 13.7" / 26.5cm x 35cm.
• Country of origin: France.
• Signature: Pierre Agnès (1898-1964). 
• Creation date: 1925. 
• Condition: Good condition overall. Some light marks across the surface of the painting, notably above the signature in the lower left hand corner. The antique frame has some missing gilding from the outer edges (see photos).
• Materials: Oil painting on wood panel, presented in an antique wood and composition gilt frame from the late 19th century.
• Shipping: Complimentary shipping to the US and Europe. A surcharge will be applied for deliveries to Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
• DDP shipping: All taxes and import fees are included in the listed price.