Sunset landscape with grazing flock, Charles Ferdinand Ceramano (Thielt 1829 – Barbizon 1909)

Charles Ferdinand Ceramano (Thielt 1829 – Barbizon 1909) Signed and dated lower right: "1897, Ceramano" Sunset landscape with grazing flock oil on canvas (114 x 147 cm. - within frame 137 x 170 cm.) The painting is an oil on canvas work, signed and dated, by the Belgian artist Charles Ferdinand Ceramano (born Charles-Ferdinand Sermain, 1831–1909), known for his rural landscapes and pastoral scenes and a proponent of the Barbizon School, a French artistic movement that focused on landscape realism and favored plein air painting with subjects drawn directly from nature and peasant life, profoundly influencing 19th-century European realism. The scene captures a moment of rural life at sunset, characterized by a warm and soft atmosphere: a large flock of sheep and lambs occupies the center of the composition, some are moving towards a pen on the right, while others are resting near two large conical haystacks on the left. The painting presents a recurring motif in the work of the Belgian divisionalist; his paintings are not simple pastoral scenes, but encapsulate a strong poetic and spiritual charge and a deep respect for daily toil, meditated through knowledge of European naturalism models (e.g., the works of Millet). In the background, half-hidden by the flock, a shepherd can be glimpsed, while in the foreground on the left, a dark dog watches the animals, fulfilling its guardianship duty. The entire scene is enveloped in warm and evocative tones, with the sky tinged with orange and pink hues typical of sunset, with heavy clouds suggesting the end of the working day, a recurring characteristic in the artist's mature works. By dedicating numerous studies to nature, which strongly influenced his reproduction of light and atmosphere, the artist managed to reproduce the landscape's atmosphere with great sensitivity and social realism. The brushwork is textured and controlled, capable of realistically rendering the texture of the sheep's fleece and the uneven ground. The work bears the signature "Ceramano" and the date 1897 in the lower right corner. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The sold work comes with a gilded frame, a certificate of authenticity, and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We handle and organize the transport of purchased works, both within Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to view the painting in our Riva del Garda gallery; we would be pleased to welcome you to show you our collection of works. Please contact us, without obligation, for any additional information. Follow us also on: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/