AUGUSTE HERBIN (FRANKRIKE, 1882-1960). Paysage.
Description
Oil on canvas, 41 x 33 cm. Signed Herbin. Performed ca. in 1908. Oljeskiss and verso.
Certificate, No. 1409, from Laurent Claisse at Atelier Claisse in Paris, accompanies the painting.
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Stockholm.
In 1901, when Auguste Herbin from Quiévy in northern France arrived in the metropolis of Paris, the legendary World's Fair had just taken place. Artists who applied here were inspired by urbanity, rich social exchange and by the belief in the future of nascent modernism. Herbin had studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Lille, and had just embraced Impressionism's way of depicting beautiful snapshots. But as the aspiring artist was reached by new impulses, so he grew bolder, and new elements began to be emphasized and repetitive rhythmic elements began to resemble patterns on his canvases. Windows, chimneys and lanterns were allowed to take their place, and the city's skyline was highlighted with stronger colors. Parallel to Herbin's post-impressionist development, Fauvism appeared on the Paris art scene.
The group, “Les fauves”, was named in connection with the Autumn Salon of 1905 at the stately Grand Palais in Paris. The works, whose motifs were set in motion by strong colours and playful forms, were signed by such names as Henri Matisse, Andre Derain and Kees van Dongen. These prompted the well-known critic Louis Vauxelles to coin the name, after all, the works were like wild animals!
In Herbin's Fauvist period of the 10th century, landscapes in various guises became his main motif. The motifs are built up by a dualism of color and form, in which the two components give the subject power and movement. The strong colors appear in harmonious combinations, often in accordance with the systematics of complementary colors. The auction work “Paysage” is an amazing example of this. The color enchants and the rhythm is felt.
During the reign of Napoleon III (1852—1870), Paris' park tradition had been expanded and taken care of. The largest green expansion ever had taken effect at the same time as the older parks had been cared for with a care of the style traditions of previous eras. The symmetrical plans of the French Baroque continued to dominate and were inviting with their walkways and open gathering places by fountains and in the shadow of high avenues. The importance of the parks grew at the time around the turn of the 20th century, orchestrating modern life.
The inspiration for the outstanding work “Paysage” most likely comes from one of Paris' well-planned parks. The work's ambiguous design appears playfully asymmetrical, but it is based on a well-thought-out formal composition. There is no central perspective here, but instead an order of planes that creates both depth and motive. Dark green silhouettes can be seen in the background, which can be tall trees, urbanity or an incoming storm. The color fields are with vigorous playful brushstrokes painted in spaced well-found shades. In the nearer field you can see one of many planted fruit trees with a pale pink crown. These flowering trees are still synonymous with the Parisian spring and long-awaited hopefulness. There is also a more exotic tree with an umbrella-shaped crown, a choice of an esteemed gardener. The viewer's perspective comes from the park walkway, from the curve to the right. The gait directs the direction of the walk and to some extent creates a balance in the work. But the trail is not so dominant that it inhibits the fauvist elements. The work instead depicts a dreamlike version of a reality in motion.
For most Fauvists, the orientation was a transitional period before Cubism, as was also the case for Herbin. But the foundation of his art, was and remained, the strong color that he found in Fauvism. Stockholms Auktionsverk is very proud to present “Paysage”, painted by one of the greatest modernists of the 20th century. The work is extremely interesting from an art historical perspective, while at the same time, with its enchanting decorative aspects, it is outstanding in nature.
In the spring of 2024, Auguste Herbin will be recognized through the Musée de Montmartre's retro-perspective exhibition dedicated to him. Stockholms Auktionsverk is very proud to present this newly discovered work by Herbin, which is on display for the first time to the public.Show more
Condition
Stains, surface dirt, minor pressure damage approx. 7 mm in diameter, minimal color loss, slightly wavy canvas, minor marks after the tensioning frame on the right side. If you have any questions, please contact victoria.svederberg@auktionsverket.se.
Resale right
Yes
% from the market value
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
Description
Oil on canvas, 41 x 33 cm. Signed Herbin. Performed ca. in 1908. Oljeskiss and verso.
Certificate, No. 1409, from Laurent Claisse at Atelier Claisse in Paris, accompanies the painting.
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Stockholm.
In 1901, when Auguste Herbin from Quiévy in northern France arrived in the metropolis of Paris, the legendary World's Fair had just taken place. Artists who applied here were inspired by urbanity, rich social exchange and by the belief in the future of nascent modernism. Herbin had studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Lille, and had just embraced Impressionism's way of depicting beautiful snapshots. But as the aspiring artist was reached by new impulses, so he grew bolder, and new elements began to be emphasized and repetitive rhythmic elements began to resemble patterns on his canvases. Windows, chimneys and lanterns were allowed to take their place, and the city's skyline was highlighted with stronger colors. Parallel to Herbin's post-impressionist development, Fauvism appeared on the Paris art scene.
The group, “Les fauves”, was named in connection with the Autumn Salon of 1905 at the stately Grand Palais in Paris. The works, whose motifs were set in motion by strong colours and playful forms, were signed by such names as Henri Matisse, Andre Derain and Kees van Dongen. These prompted the well-known critic Louis Vauxelles to coin the name, after all, the works were like wild animals!
In Herbin's Fauvist period of the 10th century, landscapes in various guises became his main motif. The motifs are built up by a dualism of color and form, in which the two components give the subject power and movement. The strong colors appear in harmonious combinations, often in accordance with the systematics of complementary colors. The auction work “Paysage” is an amazing example of this. The color enchants and the rhythm is felt.
During the reign of Napoleon III (1852—1870), Paris' park tradition had been expanded and taken care of. The largest green expansion ever had taken effect at the same time as the older parks had been cared for with a care of the style traditions of previous eras. The symmetrical plans of the French Baroque continued to dominate and were inviting with their walkways and open gathering places by fountains and in the shadow of high avenues. The importance of the parks grew at the time around the turn of the 20th century, orchestrating modern life.
The inspiration for the outstanding work “Paysage” most likely comes from one of Paris' well-planned parks. The work's ambiguous design appears playfully asymmetrical, but it is based on a well-thought-out formal composition. There is no central perspective here, but instead an order of planes that creates both depth and motive. Dark green silhouettes can be seen in the background, which can be tall trees, urbanity or an incoming storm. The color fields are with vigorous playful brushstrokes painted in spaced well-found shades. In the nearer field you can see one of many planted fruit trees with a pale pink crown. These flowering trees are still synonymous with the Parisian spring and long-awaited hopefulness. There is also a more exotic tree with an umbrella-shaped crown, a choice of an esteemed gardener. The viewer's perspective comes from the park walkway, from the curve to the right. The gait directs the direction of the walk and to some extent creates a balance in the work. But the trail is not so dominant that it inhibits the fauvist elements. The work instead depicts a dreamlike version of a reality in motion.
For most Fauvists, the orientation was a transitional period before Cubism, as was also the case for Herbin. But the foundation of his art, was and remained, the strong color that he found in Fauvism. Stockholms Auktionsverk is very proud to present “Paysage”, painted by one of the greatest modernists of the 20th century. The work is extremely interesting from an art historical perspective, while at the same time, with its enchanting decorative aspects, it is outstanding in nature.
In the spring of 2024, Auguste Herbin will be recognized through the Musée de Montmartre's retro-perspective exhibition dedicated to him. Stockholms Auktionsverk is very proud to present this newly discovered work by Herbin, which is on display for the first time to the public.Show more
Condition
Stains, surface dirt, minor pressure damage approx. 7 mm in diameter, minimal color loss, slightly wavy canvas, minor marks after the tensioning frame on the right side. If you have any questions, please contact victoria.svederberg@auktionsverket.se.
Resale right
Yes
% from the market value
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
