Louis Aston Knight: A Study of Light and Water

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Louis Aston Knight "Diane's Cottage in June"



 

Louis Aston Knight, was the son of the American expatriate artist, Daniel Ridgway Knight. Born in Paris in 1873, Louis, unlike his father, had the privilege to be brought up in a home where he was surrounded by art and music. Raised and educated in Europe, Louis attended the Chigwell School in England for his Liberal Arts Education and began his artistic training, under the guidance of his father. Later he studied formally with the great French Romantic painters, Robert-Fleury and Jules Lefebvre.

In 1894 Aston Knight debuted at the Paris Salon, starting a highly acclaimed career. Among his many awards, he won a Bronze medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, an honorable mention at the Paris Salon in 1901, a gold medal in Lyon in 1903, a gold medal in Geneva and in Nantes in 1904 and Gold medals at the Paris Salon in both 1905 and 1906, earning him the title Hors concours as the first American to win two gold medals at the Salon in two consecutive years. Knight, was also made a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1924 becoming an Officer in 1928 and eventually a Commander in 1934.

Louis Aston Knight is most famous for his French landscapes executed in and around his home in Beaumont-le-Roger. Aston looked up to Claude Monet, and visited him from time to time at his home in Giverny. He was particularly impressed with Monet's gardens, and strove to cultivate a garden as beautiful as the master's. Knight also awarded prizes each year to the neighboring peasants who kept the nicest gardens. This ensured him of good models for his cottage landscape paintings.

Gradually Aston Knight became well known in the New York art scene and traveled to the United States many times – painting scenes in New York, Florida and California. In 1911, Knoedler and Co. held an exhibition of his landscapes of the U.S.A. and France. His exhibition at the Levy Gallery in New York, in 1931 attracted much attention. In fact, "Art News" critiqued the show (26 December issue) and described his fame and plein-air approach:

A group of new landscapes by Aston Knight, the popular painter of the Normandy Riverscape, is the Holiday attraction at the Levy Gallery. Mr. Knight sticks closely to his well established formula, doubtless due to the tremendous acclaim acquired in his earlier years when Hopkinson Smith publicized him as the "painter in the high rubber boots" for Mr. Knight was not content with studying the action of the Normandy streams from the comfortable banks.... used to [put] on a pair of waist-high rubber boots and setting up his easel in mid-stream, paint the purling waters at first hand.

Aston Knight was a favorite of American Presidents in his day. In 1922, President Harding purchased Aston Knight’s painting entitled The Afterglow, to hang in the White House. Knight even held a private exhibition at the White House for President Coolidge during his Presidency.

Many of his works have had international acclaim and are housed in the art collections throughout the world, including: the Luxembourg Museum; Musee des Colonies, Paris; the Museum of Fine Arts, Toledo, Ohio and the Delgado Museum, New Orleans.
Exhibitions:

John Levy Galleries, N.Y., Nov. 24 – Dec. 6, n.d.
Knoedler & Co., N.Y., Dec 26, 1911 – Jan 6, 1912
Detroit Museum of Art, March 18 – 30, 1914
Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY, May 1918
Biltmore Salon, L.A., CA., Exhibition of Landscapes by Aston
Knight, January 26 to February 7, 1931

This essay is copyrighted by Rehs Galleries, Inc. and may not be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from Rehs Galleries, Inc.




A Cottage in the Meadow - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Cottage in the Meadow
25 1/2 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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A River Landscape - Fall - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A River Landscape - Fall
32 1/4 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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A Summer\'s Day, La Riviere - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Summer's Day, La Riviere
21 1/2 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed La Riviere

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Along the River, Beaumont - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Along the River, Beaumont
21 1/2 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed Beaumont

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Cottage by the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage by the River
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottage by the River, Launay - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage by the River, Launay
18 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches
Signed

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Cottage Garden, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage Garden, Normandy
25 3/4 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Diane\'s Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage
18 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches
Signed

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Diane\'s Cottage in June - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage in June
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Garden Bench, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Garden Bench, Normandy
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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In Full Bloom - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
In Full Bloom
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Le Pont Fleuri, Quimperlé - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Le Pont Fleuri, Quimperlé
35 x 45 3/4 inches
Signed

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Les Vieux Lavoirs, Beaumont - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Les Vieux Lavoirs, Beaumont
33 x 45 1/2 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Les Vieux Lavoirs, Normandie - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Les Vieux Lavoirs, Normandie
25 3/4 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Pink Phlox, Normandie - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Pink Phlox, Normandie
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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River Landscape - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
River Landscape
32 x 26 inches
Signed

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The Mill Stream - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Mill Stream
21 3/4 x 18 1/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Along the River, Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Along the River, Beaumont-le-Roger
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Blue Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Blue Cottage
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer Blossoms, St. Gertrude - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Blossoms, St. Gertrude
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed St. Gertrude

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A Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Beaumont-le-Roger
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger

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Cottage by the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage by the River
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Risle at Le Riviere Thibouville - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Risle at Le Riviere Thibouville
21 3/4 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Old Harbor, Dordrecht, Holland - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Old Harbor, Dordrecht, Holland
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Flowers in Bloom - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Flowers in Bloom
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Charentonne at Serquigny - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Charentonne at Serquigny
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottage Garden at Martigny - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage Garden at Martigny
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger

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Summer Morning - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Morning
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottage at Launay - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage at Launay
18 x 21 1/2 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Little Mill Near Bec Heloin - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Little Mill Near Bec Heloin
11 x 14 inches
Signed and inscribed Bec Heloin

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La Varenne at Martigny - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
La Varenne at Martigny
11 x 14 inches
Signed

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Sunlight & Shadow - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Sunlight & Shadow
26 x 60 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottage by the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage by the River
21 x 28 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Les Bords de la Risle - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Les Bords de la Risle
21 x 27 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Beaumontel - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Beaumontel
26 x 60 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris; also titled on the stretcher

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A Cote de Riviere - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Cote de Riviere
22 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer Garden - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Garden
22 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Walker Cake, Putney - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Walker Cake, Putney
10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Putney

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Fleur au bord de la Riviere - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Fleur au bord de la Riviere
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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A Bend in the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Bend in the River
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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My Mill - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
My Mill
18 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Along the Seine - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Along the Seine
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Diane\'s Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer Evening, Beaumont - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Evening, Beaumont
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Beaumont

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Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Beaumont-le-Roger
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Rio St. Aponal, Venice - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Rio St. Aponal, Venice
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Apple Blossoms - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Apple Blossoms
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Maisonette a Cote de Riviere - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Maisonette a Cote de Riviere
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Riverside Farm – South Kortright, N.Y. - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Riverside Farm – South Kortright, N.Y.
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer Garden, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Garden, Normandy
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer Afternoon, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Afternoon, Normandy
35 x 46 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Winding River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Winding River
35 x 45 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottage by the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottage by the River
13 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Le Soir, Dordrecht - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Le Soir, Dordrecht
11 x 18 1/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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La Vieux Lavoir, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
La Vieux Lavoir, Normandy
18 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Quiet Corner, a Cottage Near Dieppe - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Quiet Corner, a Cottage Near Dieppe
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Long Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Long Cottage
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Pont del Angelo, Venice - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Pont del Angelo, Venice
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Summer, Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer, Beaumont-le-Roger
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Old Mill in Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Old Mill in Normandy
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The Risle Valley, Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The Risle Valley, Normandy
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Brittany Evening - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Brittany Evening
39 x 31 1/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Market Place, Rouen - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Market Place, Rouen
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Rouen

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Market Place, Rouen - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Market Place, Rouen
21 3/4 x 18 1/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Rouen

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Honfleur, France - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Honfleur, France
18 1/4 x 21 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Honfleur

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Summer Flowers - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Summer Flowers
10 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Goupilliere, France - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Goupilliere, France
10 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Goupilliere

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A Cottage at Goupillieres (Normandy) - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Cottage at Goupillieres (Normandy)
18 x 22 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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La Risle a Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
La Risle a Beaumont-le-Roger
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Garden & Meadow, Normandy, Risle Valley - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Garden & Meadow, Normandy, Risle Valley
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Diane\'s Cottage, Beaumont-le-Roger - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage, Beaumont-le-Roger
26 x 60 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Sur le Soir - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Sur le Soir
32 x 26 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Cottages Along the River - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Cottages Along the River
32 x 25 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Risle Valley - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Risle Valley
26 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Diane\'s Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage
10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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Chaumiere, a bord de l\'eau - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Chaumiere, a bord de l'eau
10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris; also titled on the reverse

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Diane\'s Cottage - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage
18 1/8 x 21 5/8 inches
Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger

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Diane\'s Cottage at Sunset - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
Diane's Cottage at Sunset
21 7/8 x 18 3/4 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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A Canal in Venice - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A Canal in Venice
21 3/4 x 18 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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The End of the Village - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
The End of the Village
25 5/8 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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A River in Normandy - Louis Aston Knight
Louis Aston Knight
(1873 - 1948)
A River in Normandy
25 1/2 x 32 inches
Signed and inscribed Paris

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