La Rue St Catherine et Les Vieux Arcades

Since his marriage in 1885 Dieppe had been Sickert's summer home. The town was the subject of countless paintings, causing his friend, the painter Jacques Emile Blanche to call him the Canaletto of Dieppe. He concentrated on a few views, such as Les Vieux Arcades on the Rue St. Catherine which borders the church of St. Jacques. This version represents a relatively broad view which embraces both the entrance to the Vieux Arcades on the right and the apsidal chapel of St. Jacques on the left. In composition and handling the work is related to several paintings of circa 1903-05, and features a handcart, this time in the roadway, whereas other works place the cart on the pavement in front of the opening to the arcades.

We are very grateful to Dr. Wendy Baron for her assistance in cataloguing this lot.