Gustave Vidal Oil Painting of Fontaine de Vaucluse Dated 1959 - 19¾" x 22¾"

This mid-20th-century oil on canvas by Gustave Vidal captures the rushing waters of the Fontaine de Vaucluse springs in Provence, framed by wind-bent trees and sunlit rock. The composition is built with confident palette-knife impasto and vigorous, faceted strokes in shades of jade, turquoise, slate, and warm ochre, with white water coursing through the center while small figures gather along the bank. Signed Vidal at the lower right and dated 1959, it is presented in a simple painted wood case frame in soft white. Vidal is regarded as a master of Provençal painting, celebrated for translating Mediterranean light into sculptural paint surfaces that bridge Post-Impressionism and mid-century regional realism.

The site depicted is among Provence’s most storied landscapes, long admired for its dramatic spring that feeds the Sorgue River and for its enduring association with poets and travelers. Here, Vidal uses trees to frame the composition and a high-key palette to guide the eye, while his rhythmic handling of paint evokes both the force of water against stone and the leisurely promenade. This work demonstrates Gustave Vidal’s remarkable ability to capture both atmosphere and motion, bringing an immediate sense of place and movement to a room. His dynamic brushstrokes and luminous colors translate Provence’s light with exceptional vitality, making the painting as much a display of painterly skill as of natural beauty.

It hangs beautifully above a limestone mantel or antique console, where the white frame sets off neutral walls and natural textures such as linen, wicker, and raw oak. Pair it with coastal or modern interiors for a crisp counterpoint, or integrate it into a traditional scheme alongside terracotta, patinated bronze, and other French accents to echo the warm light of Provence.