A high quality exceptional antique oil on canvas painting, portraying the women of a fishing community on a beach waiting for the return of the fishing boats and their menfolk. It is painted  in Brittany in the west of France.
 
The weather is typical,  a mixture of storm clouds and sunshine, which has been expertly captured, the sun is breaking through the clouds and illuminating the sea and the sailing boats in the background. The light is reflected in the wet beach. The street lights are illuminated by the village building, suggesting it is evening and they await the boats before dark.
 
On the beach in the shelter of the cliff are the women in traditional Brittany dress with their lace caps, some have children with them and we think the fathers may be on the boat.
 
There is the fish market behind which is also illuminated,giving a feel of the warmth of the fishing community. Some sailing fish boats have already returned and are moored on the  beach. The French tricolour flag is fluttering in the breeze. The danger of the sea and therefore the anticipation of the women is emphasised by the lighthouse on the cliffs.
 
The canvas measures 21.5" by 18" and is signed in the bottom left corner.
 
The picture is in good condition, though you may decide it needs a clean, it has accumilated a patination as it dates from the last quarter of the 1800s. The edges remain form but there is wear where they were in contact with the frame.