Artist: Jim Ridout
Title: “Sunset over Cavalaire & Île du Levant”
Medium: Watercolour
Edition: Original artwork, commissioned as noted verso.
Artwork Dimensions: 53cm × 34cm (20.9" × 13.4")
Frame Dimensions: 76cm × 57cm (29.9" × 22.4")
Condition: Very good overall; light marks to frame. See photos
Provenance: Artist’s handwritten note on reverse
About the artwork
This radiant seascape by Jim Ridout captures the tranquil glow of a Mediterranean sunset as viewed from the hills above La Croix‑Valmer, looking out across the bay toward Cavalaire‑sur‑Mer and the distant silhouette of Île du Levant. Ridout worked from sketches taken on a terrace overlooking this stretch of coastline, and that first‑hand observation gives the painting its unmistakable sense of place and atmosphere.
Soft washes of peach, rose and lavender drift across the sky, their colours mirrored in the calm water below, while the darkened foreground anchors the composition and enhances the luminous horizon. Ridout’s brushwork is subtle and assured, blending delicate gradients in the sky with gentle transitions across the sea. The result is a serene, contemplative piece that distils the quiet beauty of the Var coastline at day’s end — a moment of stillness rendered with warmth, sensitivity and a deep appreciation for the landscape.
About the Artist
Jim Ridout is a British landscape painter known for his atmospheric coastal and countryside scenes, often inspired by the light and colour of southern France. Working in oil, pastel and mixed media, he brings a gentle realism to his subjects, capturing the interplay of light, distance and mood with a calm, reflective touch.
His works are held in private collections in the UK and abroad, admired for their serenity, balanced compositions and ability to evoke a strong sense of place. Ridout’s paintings offer a moment of quiet contemplation — landscapes that feel lived‑in, observed and deeply appreciated.
