Leonid Frechkop, Mountain Chalets, Oil Painting On Canvas, 1932

This atmospheric oil painting by Russian-Belgian artist Leonid Frechkop (Moscow, 1897–Brussels, 1982) offers a striking mountain landscape, painted in 1932. The cropped composition, revealing only the chalet roofs in the foreground, draws the eye toward the hazy peaks and the dramatic sky above. Expressionist brushstrokes lend texture to the grey and brown roofs, reflecting the sunlight filtering through the clouds, and contrasting with the soft greens and blues of the mountains. Distinctive details—from the chimneys and the shape of the roofs to the mysterious smoke in the mountains—introduce a subtle tension to this otherwise calm scene.

Born in Moscow in 1897, Frechkop trained at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and the Imperial Academy of Arts under Konstantin Korovin, Abram Arkhipov, and Nikolay Kasatkin. Fleeing Russia in 1921, he settled in Belgium in 1922, where he engaged with Belgian modernists, including Paul Delvaux. Influenced by the Nouvelle Objectivité as well as the Italian Renaissance, he became known for his distinctive portraits and landscapes. His work is held in several European collections, including the Centre Pompidou, Cabinet des Estampes, and the Musée d’Ixelles.

Dated 1932 and signed at the front, this rare example of Frechkop’s early work exemplifies a striking modern composition and bold use of colours, creating a compelling atmosphere. It is mounted in an elegant 1930s Montparnasse frame, complementing its refined aesthetic.

• Framed dimensions: 54 x 62 cm
• Canvas dimensions: 38 x 46 cm
• Minor and unnoticeable losses to the top right and bottom left corners
• Mounted in an elegant 1930s Montparnasse frame
• Signed 'L. Frechkop' at the front and dated 1932