La Côte

20th-century French oil painting on wood panel by Charles Martin-Sauvaigo (1881-1970). The artwork features the studio stamp and the artist signature on the reverse.

A serene seascape capturing the quiet beauty of the French coastline. The view unfolds with a stretch of deep green hills meeting calm, turquoise waters, while the distant shoreline fades softly into the misty horizon. Martin-Sauvaigo’s layered brushstrokes bring texture to both land and sea, creating a subtle play of movement and depth.

The artist’s restrained palette of blues, greens, and muted earth tones enhances the tranquil atmosphere, evoking the stillness of a quiet coastal afternoon. Housed in an ornate antique gilded frame, the piece is beautifully complemented by its warm, sculpted details, adding an elegant contrast to the cool tones of the composition.

An excellent collector's piece, with one of Charles Martin-Sauvaigo's works featuring his home and preferred subject.

About Charles Martin-Sauvaigo (1881-1970)

Born on February 7, 1881, in Carras, a district of Nice, Charles Martin-Sauvaigo grew up in a family of farmers. His talent was recognized early by Félix Ziem, a key figure of the Barbizon School and a friend of Chopin and Rodin, who encouraged him to pursue an artistic career.

Trained under Alexis Mossa, he later joined the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he quickly distinguished himself by winning several competitions. His first official commissions came from the Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes and the Nice Chamber of Commerce.

At just 24, he exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français, earning multiple awards, including a gold medal in 1937. In 1922, he was appointed Official Painter of the French Navy, a role that allowed him to travel extensively and explore new artistic perspectives. His career was marked by prestigious commissions, including a vast 400-square-meter diorama for the Côte d’Azur Pavilion at the 1937 Paris Exposition Universelle, as well as paintings for luxury ocean liners such as the SS Île de France.

Despite his many travels, Martin-Sauvaigo remained deeply connected to his homeland. He captured the harbors, landscapes, and rural scenes of the Niçois region and Provence, masterfully portraying the region’s distinctive light with a colorful yet subtle palette. His painting La Provence - Moulin de Daudet, an homage to the writer Alphonse Daudet, was exhibited at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Throughout his life, he actively advocated for artists’ recognition and was inducted into the Académie de Marine. He received the vermeil medal from the city of Paris and, in 1929, was named an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur.

Charles Martin-Sauvaigo passed away on November 9, 1970, in Paris. The city of Nice honored his legacy by naming an alley in his birthplace after him. Today, some of his paintings are preserved in the Musée Masséna in Nice and the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris.

• Overall Size: 12.2" x 14.5" / 31cm x 37cm.
• Size without the frame: 6.2" x 8.6" / 16.5cm x 22.5cm.
• Country: France.
  
• Signed: The artwork features the studio stamp and the artist signature on the reverse.
• Date: Early 20th century. 
• Condition: Despite some rare small losses on the panel, the whole is in very good state of conservation. 
• Materials: Oil painting on wood panel with an antique curved wooden frame. 
• Shipping: This painting includes free shipping. An additional fee is applied for Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.