Lucien Mainssieux (1885-1958) The Huts In Tipazza Algeria 1955. Crozant, Voiron, Orientalist

New oil on canvas by Lucien Mainssieux titled on the back Les Goubis à Tipazza, signed and dated 55 lower right. Canvas size only without frame 50x61cm This is indeed a very pretty orientalist composition by Lucien Mainssieux who paints here gourbis in Tipazza in Algeria in 1955, as was his habit at that time he uses his usual touch with large flat areas and his typical palette made of ochres, storms, greens, sienna, sky blue.... Algeria will be like his second land of heart, he will spend long periods there, especially in the surroundings of Tipazza where he will paint landscapes, animated scenes, portraits of natives etc... Because Lucien Mainssieux is as much recognized for his orientalist landscapes, as for his views of Voiron and the surroundings of Lyon or Grenoble, as for his belonging to the Crozant school. Lucien Mainssieux was a French painter, music critic, and engraver, born August 4, 1885, and died July 8, 1958, in Voiron. Orphaned by his mother at the age of 19 months, Lucien Mainssieux suffered from tuberculosis of the pelvic bones (or coxalgia). He spent his first twelve years bedridden and limped his entire life. In Grenoble, François Joseph Girot was his first teacher, and Jules Flandrin was his first significant influence. He arrived in Paris in 1905, the year of the Fauvist scandal, to work with Jean-Paul Laurens. At the Académie Julian, he met Dunoyer de Segonzac, who would become a loyal friend. In Paris, he frequented Max Weber, met Picasso through him, and also frequented Matisse, Marquet, Jacqueline Marval, and Rouault. He was not part of any of the movements of the time, especially not Cubism. His only definitive role model was Cézanne. Mainssieux undertook numerous travels throughout his life, notably throughout France. Although he lived in Paris, he returned to Voiron in the summer, where he could paint landscapes more easily, and therefore also to Creuse, where he visited quite regularly. His first trip outside France was to Rome in 1910. It was a revelation for him: the ancient monuments with their pinkish stones, the perfect architecture, and the sculpture fascinated him. When he saw the Palatine Hill, he decided to paint it, amazed by the beauty of the landscape. This hill first appeared to him when "the sun was slowly sinking over the horizon, the city's palaces and the distant hills were in a golden haze." In 1913, he exhibited the painting of this scene, The Palatine Hill, at the Salon d'Automne in Paris. He was noticed by critics and the general public thanks to his style. He returned to Rome five more times between 1911 and 1926. In 1921, after receiving a scholarship to Africa, Mainssieux went to Tunisia. His discovery of the Muslim world amazed him, and he began to paint marabouts, palm groves, sands, and oases. He would return to this country many times. He visited Morocco four times starting in 1929, and later wrote a book, Le Maroc secret, illustrated with drawings but never published. His last trip was to Morocco in 1958, to Agadir. Between 1942 and 1954, Mainssieux made four trips to Algeria, to Tipaza. Mainssieux spent the last twelve years of his life between Voiron, Paris, and Tipaza. All of these travels influenced his life, from his painting to his private life, since it was during these trips that he met his wife. These trips gave him the inspiration to paint pictures that would get him noticed by the public. This painting is in very good condition, possibly requiring a light cleaning, delivered in an antique gilt frame with a small lack of gilding. Work guaranteed authentic