Family of bathers on the rocks

(1889 Blankenberge – 1972 Avignon) "Family of Bathers on the Rocks" (Bathers on the Rocks). Original title: "A powerfully delineated work with a sharply reduced color palette" by Masereel, who dedicated himself to painting in his later years. He studied under Jean Delvin at the Ghent Academy and graphic arts under Jules de Bruycker. After completing his studies, he spent many years in Paris and was part of the circle around Romain Rolland. After World War II, he accepted a teaching assignment at the School of Applied Arts in Saarbrücken. The artist, born on the Flemish coast in Blankenberge, returned to the coast many times in summer, where he painted harbor scenes, sailors, and bathers. Oil on paper, mounted on cardboard. Signed and dated 1955. Inscription from an unknown hand on the reverse. Approximate dimensions 46.2 cm x 54.7 cm. Framed. Literature: Worms, Pierre: Masereel – catalogue raisonné, bereedeneerd catalogus, critical catalog, Mercator Fund, Antwerp 1976; p. 98, number 231.