(Talence 1858 - Bordeaux 1938)
Landscape at Saint Cirq Lapopie
Pastel on paper
H. 35 cm; L. 48 cm
Signed lower left, located
Provenance: Private collection, Bordeaux
Renowned landscaper, Eugène Forel was also during his career as a painter, an art critic under the name of Pierre Morisse. Driven by his passion, he was at the origin of the foundation of several artistic societies in Bordeaux. That of the Girondin artists with Jean Drouyn and especially the Atelier, a community of painters organizing numerous exhibitions in the city. His creations are mainly from neighboring countries. The Landes, the Lot, the Basque Country and even Spain punctuate his career as a painter in a very realistic way. He was a leader of the Bordeaux school of landscape at the turn of the two centuries in the company of painters like Auguin or Cabié.
The pastel presented here is a late summer view located in Saint Cyr la Popie in the Lot. The famous village is not illustrated in this composition, but the atmosphere of the causse is there. The oak resting on its small rocky outcrop becomes the main subject of this short-sky view. Grilled by the August sun, this tortuous tree punctuates the landscape with steep fields and cut by the low walls delimiting the plots. Very bright, this Lotois painting has all the charm of pastel with its matte appearance and bold colours.