Antique seascape painting - Port of Marseille Louis Labrot Font (1881-1952) - 21¼" x 25¼"

This superb painting of sail and steam boats in the Port of Marseille dates from the 1930s (it is dated on the back 1930 in pencil). The perspective suggests that this was painted en plein air as we can see that the painter's position was on the harborside as it makes up the foreground. The iconic facades of the buildings that surround the port are in the background and the sky is full of sea mist. It is signed in the lower left, likely Louis Labrot Font (1881-1952). 

Palette knife painting dates to the 19th century when artists began using this tool to apply paint directly onto the canvas, creating bold, textured effects. Initially, palette knives were primarily used for mixing colors on the palette, but artists soon discovered their potential for producing unique textures and expressive strokes that brushes could not achieve. Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, such as Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh, popularized the technique, using palette knives to create dynamic, layered compositions with thick applications of paint. The technique allowed for greater spontaneity and a more tactile interaction with the medium, emphasizing color and form over fine detail. In the 20th century, palette knife painting was further embraced by Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, who used the technique to convey raw emotion and movement in their works. The versatility of the palette knife made it a favorite among artists seeking to push the boundaries of traditional painting methods.