André Verdilhan (1881-1963) The Port Of Cassis

The dredge in the port of Cassis at the beginning of the 20th century by Marseille artist André Verdilhan. The work is presented in a modern gray frame which measures 70 cm by 80 cm, and 50 cm by 61 cm without the frame. In good condition, it is signed lower left. Younger brother of Louis-Mathieu Verdilhan, André Verdilhan attended the Marseille School of Fine Arts directed by Alphonse Moutte and distinguished himself particularly in sculpture. He continued his training in Paris with the Italian sculptor Filippo Colarossi. In 1906, he participated in the Salon des Indépendants with the presentation of various busts, including that of Paul Verlaine, and masks, then from 1910 to 1914. From 1913, he was at the Salon d'Automne and in Parisian galleries where he exhibits his sculptures and paintings, notably genre scenes: Parade du cirque Valat (1914) and Pêcheurs d'urchins (1920), but also portraits and landscapes. His fame then exceeded that of his brother Louis-Mathieu who had to add the initials of his first names to his signature. In 1918, he exhibited seven views of Marseille, Toulon and Le Havre at the "Exposition des Peintres de la Mer" organized by the French Naval League (Rouen section) at the Rouen painting museum. The Federation of Maritime Trade Unions approached him in 1913 to create a monument celebrating the victims of the sea; this project, abandoned during the First World War, will be taken over by the Marseille Merchant Marine Committee. André Verdilhan therefore made a bronze group, the monument to the heroes and victims of the sea which is located behind the Palais du Pharo in Marseille and will be inaugurated on July 14, 1923. In 1936 he becomes a painter for the Navy department and participates in the decoration of the Normandy liner. After 1945 he mainly produced still lifes and landscapes Works in the Rouen public collections, Musée des Beaux-Arts: Mouette above the waves (1917), oil on canvas (90.5 x 160) Fondation Regards de Provence