Town Square, Brittany, 1953

<p><em>Town Square, Brittany</em> is a boldly painted, naïve townscape which complements the character of the place. It is a rare example of Manchester’s early work from the 1950s, stylistically relating to the work of Alfred Wallis and L.S. Lowry. The female figure in the right-hand corner is a bigoudène – she wears a traditional lace head dress typical of southwest Brittany. The crucifixion is typical of sculptures found in traditional Brittany town squares. The central figure in the yellow hat is wearing peasant sabots. The dramatic dark sky adds electricity to the composition and the original moulded frame lends vintage character.</p>