Landscape Of The Creuse - Pastel By Armand Guillaumin (1841 - 1927)

Armand Guillaumin
(1841 - 1927)
Landscape of the Creuse valley
Circa 1905
Pastel
Signed lower left
45 x 58 cm; with frame: 66.5 x 79.5 cm

This landscape of the Creuse valley is reminiscent of the views of the mills near the town of Crozant, often depicted by Guillaumin from the 1890s onwards.

After marrying a woman from this region, the painter became closer to the Crozant School. In 1891, he won a large sum in the lottery and was thus able to devote himself entirely to his art. From then on, he spent most of his time in the Creuse, painting en plein air.

The "valley of painters" had gathered around landscape painting, focused on formal and chromatic innovations, while remaining attached to its romantic roots. Berry and Limousin had seen the influence of George Sand (1804-1876) flourish, as well as that of her regular guests in Nohant. Artistic and literary life now evolved around the figures of Armand Guillaumin and the poet Maurice Rollinat (1846-1903).