Goémonier à Avranches is a small seaside gouache on board painting by French Breton artist Fanch Lel. Featuring a vibrant palette made of blue, grey, brown, white, and orange tones, the painting depicts a French goémonier, a beach cleaner or seaweed gatherer, in Avranches, which is located near Mont Saint Michel in the Normandy region of northwestern France. The goémonier is in his horse drawn cart with his steel sickle picking up seaweed from under the rocks during low tide. Unframed, this French Breton gouache on board painting is signed lower left and dated on reverse.

Fanch Lel is a Breton artist and has painted since 1955. His small oil and gouache paintings are on simple boards and depict the charming scenes of everyday life in Brittany. These quaint scenes reveal a real talent by the artist to capture the essence of the countryside or seascape, iconic landmarks like Mont St. Michel, animals like sheep and horses, and the traditionally clad Breton people. His fascination and love of the Breton people can be seen in the many paintings that honor the saints of Brittany. The name Fanch is a pseudonym for a man who never formally studied art but taught himself from real life studies in plein air and secretly painted on the side. He began drawing in school as part of his curriculum in the natural sciences and first put his artistic talents to use during military service in Algeria with military mapping. His real joy was escaping his Paris day job and spending summers and weekends in Brittany, where every tradition captured his heart. He is a member of the Society of Independent Artists and a Knight of the Palmes Academiques. He has participated in numerous exhibits in France including: Avranches, Courchevel, Deauville, Dinard, Paris, Pont-Aven, and Mayo. 

Dimensions:

h - 6.5"

w - 8.75"