'Views of Madagascar', French School (circa 1960s)

'Views of Madagascar', gouache on paper, French School (circa 1960s). The artist depicts two views of Madagascar in a charming and naive style. The first, a farm and its fields with a significant verdant elevation in the background. The second, a villager sitting in front of his home watching life go by. As a point of interest, Madagascar is the largest island in the Indian Ocean and lies about 250 miles from Eastern Africa and 4,000 miles from Indonesia. This isolation means that most of its mammals, half of its birds, and most of its plants exist nowhere else on earth. The human inhabitants of Madagascar are similarly unique – amazingly, half of their genetic lineages derive from settlers from the region of Borneo, with the other half from East Africa. Archaeological evidence suggests that this settlement was as recent as 1500 years ago – about the time the Saxons invaded Britain.

The artworks are in fair condition showing some slight fading of colour and minor blemishing. They are newly framed and glazed with anti-reflective museum quality glass. The reverse side of the original painting indicated the scenes were from Madagascar. However, the listed name of the artist seemed to be apocryphal. Please enjoy the many photos accompanying the listing. Upon request a video will be provided. 

Dimensions with frame:

H 44 cm / 17.3"

W 37.5 cm / 14.8"

Dimensions without frame of each artwork

H 12 cm / 4.7"

W 20 cm / 7.9"