Paul Bistagne (1850-1886) Fishermen On A Pontoon

The great classical and romantic painting by the Provençal specialist in 19th century fishing scenes and returns Paul Bistagne. This work with magnificent clouds and the quiet atmosphere of a sunrise is offered in a beautiful 19th century frame which measures 65 cm by 90 cm, and 39 cm by 65 cm for the painting alone, done in oil on canvas. mounted on a wooden panel. In good condition, it is signed and dated (18)81 lower right, and represents a seaside, probably around the Etang de Berre where the artist used to live. Two fishermen chatting as well as others on their boat in the distance animate this restful and poetic work of great quality by this artist who died too young. Marine painter, admirer of Ziem, too little known artist who worked with François Barry. He entered the Beaux Arts in Marseille at the age of 18, there he met Barry whom he found in Paris where he was an official character of the Second Empire, official painter of the Navy. Did Bistagne take part in Barry's last oriental cruises?? We don't know. Bistagne is in any case documented by the catalog of the Salon of 1875 and a painting of 1878 "Le Port Oriental". Returning to Marseilles at an uncertain date, he moved into a studio where he painted Provençal seascapes, a few landscapes, views of Venice and the Bosphorus, which he brought to life with characters. His know-how is then closer to Félix Ziem than to that of François Barry. His young death does not allow us to speculate on what his maturity would have been, because we can only observe a few works. A "post mortem" consecration came to him with the Colonial Exhibition of 1906 where he was exhibited. At the Museum of Toulon "Boats on land and fishermen (1885).