 |
|
Felix Vallotton (1865 – 1925)
Felix Vallotton
was born in Lausanne on December 28th, 1865. At
the age of seventeen, he left for Paris to learn painting at
the well-known Academy Julian, where many famous post-impressionist
artists went studied in the late 19th C.
 "Femmes Nues aux chats " 1898 Within ten
years the young Swiss artist succeeded in making has name in
avant-garde Paris and internationally as well where his modernist
infused woodcuts and black-and-white illustrations generated
much interest. From 1899 onwards Vallotto devoted himself essentially
to painting which he regularly exhibited in Paris and in Switzerland
as well have as in the best known international exhibitions.
 "Baigneuse" 1916 With dedicated
application Vallotton searched for new ways of expression which
he found at the onset of WW1. Although deeply affected
by the events of the war, Vallotton did find new sources
of inspiration that would eventually led him to the margin
of abstraction. Vallotton's artistic success returned with
the restoration of peace. Unfortunately, the artist's premature
death on the 29th of December 1925 prevented him from
further enjoying it.
 "Autoportrait à la robe de chambre" 1914 Vallotton
dealt with all standard of painting: still lifes, portraits,
interiors, figures, nudes, landscapes and broad mythological and
allegorical scenes. Before the war Vallotton had already achieved
recognition for his mastery of nudes and figures. Subsequently,
his "composed landscapes", recreated from memory in his studio,
were met with growing interest. Many were the sources which
inspired his landscapes: Switzerland and in particular the
area around Lake Leman where Vallotton returned regularly for
holidays; the surroundings of Honfleur, his Summer residence
from 1909 onwards, as well as many other areas of France; also
Italy which Vallotton regularly visited, and Russia where he
stayed in 1913.
 Ah! La Pe...Lape...La Pepiniere!!! Revue, 1897 Felix Vallotton's
work is widely diversified and includes at least 200 engravings,
innumerable drawings, some 1700 paintings, a few sculptures,
as well as writings including three novels, several plays,
essays and art criticism.
text taken
from The Felix Vallotton Foundation website:
|