Georges Hanna Sabbagh, The Rhone in Geneva, Oil Painting on Board, Early 20th Century, Framed

This early 20th-century oil painting on board is attributed to French Egyptian artist Georges Hanna Sabbagh (1877-1951) and portrays the Rhône River in Geneva. In a distinctive composition, the tumultuous flow of the water surrounds large buildings and trees in the background. The reflection of the town in the river is rendered in a distinctive camaieu of greens that contrast with the ochre tones of the architecture. The whole scene is depicted in energetic brushstrokes that combine beautifully the buildings with the movement of the water. This evocative work is mounted in a black and gold frame and shows the name of the artist at the back. Born in Alexandria in 1877, Georges Hanna Sabbagh studied painting in Paris with Maurice Denis and Felix Valotton. Travelling between Brittany, Switzerland and Egypt, his work spans landscapes and portraits, showing a sense of colour and abstraction akin to Fauvism. A regular artist at the Salon des Independants and the Salon d’Automne, his work is held in major museum collections in France and Egypt.