Artwork
Lac du Bourget, near Aix-les-Bains
Lac du Bourget, near Aix-les-Bains is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Sir Alfred East. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Sir Alfred East’s 1902 watercolour, Lac du Bourget, near Aix‑les‑Bains, depicts a tranquil lakeside scene. In the foreground a calm lake reflects muted greens and browns, while a line of trees borders the shore. Beyond, low hills rise gently from the water’s edge under a cloud‑filled sky, creating a balanced composition of land, water, and atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of quiet repose in the French Alpine region, emphasizing the subtle interplay of light on water and foliage. The subdued palette and soft horizon suggest a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to consider the serenity of the natural landscape rather than any narrative drama.
Technique & Style
East employs delicate, translucent washes and fine brushwork typical of early twentieth‑century watercolour practice. The soft strokes convey the gentle sway of trees and the surface ripples of the lake, while layered pigments produce atmospheric depth without harsh contrasts, reinforcing the work’s calm tonal quality.
History & Provenance
Signed by the artist, the painting dates to 1902, a period when East was traveling and recording European scenery. Its provenance traces through private collections before entering the museum’s holdings, where it remains an example of his landscape oeuvre and his engagement with continental vistas.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred East kept a pocket-sized sketchbook wherever he went, scribbling quick watercolours so he could capture the light before it shifted.
The Teme at Knightwick
St. Catherine's Chapel, above Artington and the River Wey
Boats, near Lea Bridge
Château de Bourlémont
Trees Profiled against the Sky
The Pond, Ditchling
Gunnersbury House, Brentford
On the River Lee, near Stratford
The ruins of a Cowdray House
Cottages on high ground.
The fisherman- Cutting Timber, Aix-les-Bains