Original Oil Painting
Claude R. Bils — Oil on Board — “Low Tide”
Atmospheric French estuary scene with moored boat and coastal dwellings
Key Details
Artist: Claude R. Bils (Raymond Aynaud)
Title: “Low Tide”
Medium: Oil on board
Support: Isorel panel
Signature: Signed lower right “Bils”
Dimensions: Image: 28 × 35.5 cm (11.0 × 14.0 in) •
Framed: approx. 40 × 48 cm (15.7 × 18.9 in)
Condition: Very good overall; no visible damage or restoration. Frame with age-related wear but structurally sound and ready to hang.
Provenance: Private UK collection
Description
This evocative oil painting by Claude R. Bils captures a quiet, atmospheric estuary at low tide. A moored boat rests on exposed sand, while distant figures and softly rendered coastal dwellings bring a sense of everyday maritime life to the scene. Executed with confident brushwork and warm, earthy tones, the painting reflects Bils’ mature style and sensitivity to light and place. A charming and highly decorative example of 20th-century French coastal painting.
About the Artist
Claude R. Bils (1883–1968), also known as Raymond Aynaud, was a French painter renowned for his scenes of Paris and the northern and western coasts of France. He worked extensively in Brittany, depicting working harbours, estuaries, and quiet moments of coastal life. His paintings are characterised by expressive brushwork and a refined sense of atmosphere. This work closely aligns with known compositions such as “Fishermen Standing at the Hold” (Rossini, Paris, 2010), supporting its attribution and period.
Estimated Date
Likely 1930s–1940s, during the artist’s mature period
Provenance & Notes
From a private UK collection. The subject strongly suggests a Breton estuary, a recurring and sought-after theme in Bils’ work.
