A. Gauthier (20th) Brantôme Dordogne

A. GAUTHIER
(20th)
Brantôme
Oil on canvas
H. 75 cm; W. 60 cm
Signed lower left, dated 1928

In the 17th century, a certain Albert Gauthier is mentioned as a "painter from Périgord", having worked in Bordeaux then Paris. This was therefore an opportunity to learn of the existence of an "old" painter from our region, without being able to identify our Gauthier. An Albert Gautier born in 1903 could be our artist, but the palette of the work seems from another time. We must not forget this painter to whom all sorts of compositions are attributed, some dating from the 1880s or others with totally different styles. This name seems today to be a catch-all that is difficult to untangle.

Without being interested in the painter, the composition in the most famous axis of Brantôme is nonetheless very pleasant. The realistic luminosity is perfectly treated, and no defect is to be reported in the touch used by the painter. The abbey church and the abbey are magnified here in their sunny stones, postcard images in painting!