Jean Baptiste Armand Guillaumin (French) 1841 – 1927
A Cloudy Day, watercolor, signed l/r, 15″ x 10″ unframed
Estimate: $650. NFS.
Please email an offer to purchase or a request for more information to thistlefineart.info@gmail.com.
Very good condition. Painted on English watercolor board, this watercolor was acquired from a Belfast, Northern Ireland vendor who bought it from a gallery in Stockholm, Sweden. Without provenance, in a medium, palette and technique not normally associated with Jean Baptiste Armand Guillaumin, this painting is nevertheless a good representation of the French Impressionist School. It is signed “Guillaumin”, which means nothing, of course. However, who would have chosen this watercolor for forging the signature of a prominent French Impressionist? It could have been painted by a different “Guillaumin”, of course.
A French painter and lithographer, Guillaumn grew up in Moulins, but at 16 he returned to Paris to find work. Despite the opposition of his working-class family, he prepared for an artistic career while he supported himself in municipal jobs. He started drawing classes and then enrolled in the Académie Suisse, where he met Cézanne and Camille Pissarro. Guillaumin began his career as an avant-garde artist by exhibiting with them at the Salon des Refusés in 1863. He was also active in the Manet circle at the Café Guerbois, from which Impressionism developed.
Personal note: I bought this watercolor because I like it! The simplicity of the drawing and the subtlety of the colors are very appealing to me. If the painting is not by Jean Baptiste Armand Guillaumpn I paid too much as I must admit to being influenced by the belief that it is his work. I did so with the full knowledge that I would never know. Since its purchase in 2003 I’ve not altered my opinion; thus the attribution. If I’m wrong, I’ve had my “money’s worth”. The price estimate takes into account the lack of an authoritative attribution.
Also by this artist:
Images often do not adequately represent quality or condition. Reflections off glass or varnished surfaces sometimes alter color and clarity. All listings are fully guaranteed to be as described, however, and may be returned for a full refund (for any reason) within 30 days of purchase.
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