• French Cafe Ritherdon Road SW17 with prams, terrace seating and humorous billboard sign, South London art print
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Gallery Midnight

The French Café

The French Café

by Johny Midnight

A playful graphic portrait of the former French Café on Ritherdon Road - teal awnings, prams pushing out of the forecourt and a blackboard menu with a knowing sense of humour.

Limited edition fine art prints, hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Once the edition is sold out, it will not be reproduced.

£105.00 GBP
£105.00 GBP
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  • Artwork Description

    This painting preserves the spirit of the French Café as it once stood at the social heart of Ritherdon Road in SW17. The distinctive teal awnings and terrace seating define the composition, their bold colour creating a near screen-print effect alongside flashes of orange and magenta. Tables overflow with animated figures - sunglasses on, coffees raised, conversations crossing in the midday light. Two women push prams out of the forecourt mid-stride. A blackboard advertises the menu with a tongue-in-cheek edge. Though the café no longer exists, the painting holds its memory with warmth and precision - a document of a neighbourhood hub at its most alive.

  • Artist's Insight

    The French Café was the centre of Ritherdon Road for a long time - it's where everybody ended up on a weekend morning. When I painted it, I wasn't thinking about posterity, I was just capturing what it felt like to be there: the prams, the banter, the ridiculous blackboard menu. The flat colour and graphic lines came naturally - they matched the energy of the place, which was always a bit louder and brighter than anywhere else on the street. Now that it's gone, the painting has taken on a weight I didn't expect.

Original Artwork Information

Artwork year created: 2014

Original artwork size: 75 x 61

Original artwork medium: Acrylic on canvas

Original artwork status: SOLD

Print Details

Gallery Midnight limited edition fine art prints are available in A2 and A3 sizes. Edition sizes vary depending on the artwork.

Edition Details

  • A3 Limited Edition of 100
  • A2 Limited Edition of 100
  • Printed on archival matt fine art paper
  • Hand-signed and numbered by the artist
  • Certificate of authenticity included

Framing

Framing is available exclusively through the gallery. As framing is a highly personal decision and depends on the setting in which the artwork will be displayed, we prefer to discuss framing options directly with collectors. Please contact the gallery to arrange framing for your print.

Original paintings are typically presented on stretched canvas and do not require framing.

Please contact the gallery for framing advice or to arrange framing

Shipping

UK Delivery

Limited edition prints are dispatched via Royal Mail and typically arrive within 3–5 working days.

  • Free UK delivery on orders over £250
  • £5.99 delivery for orders under £250

International Delivery

We also ship internationally via Royal Mail.

  • Europe: £10
  • Rest of World: £15

Delivery times for international orders may vary depending on destination and local customs processing.

Packaging

Limited Edition Prints

All limited edition prints are carefully packaged in protective cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition. This method protects the artwork during transit and allows the print to be professionally framed once received.

Original Paintings

Original paintings are typically collected from the gallery or arranged for delivery separately. Please contact the gallery to discuss shipping options for original artworks.

Returns

Please view our returns policy here

About the Artist

Johny is a painter and founder of Gallery Midnight in Balham. His work is often described as “abstract on reality”, capturing familiar landscapes, seascapes and city scenes with expressive colour and movement. Influenced by a life spent between London, the Alps and the Caribbean, his paintings explore changing light, atmosphere and energy, inviting viewers to see well-known places in new and unexpected ways.

Discover more about Johny and Gallery Midnight

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