JEAN PIERRE LAURENS

 (French 1875-1932)

THE HARBOR AT DIEPPE, DUSK
Oil on Canvas
19.5 x 23.75 Inches

Signed Lower Left

In a Period Gilt-Gesso Frame

Provenance J.A. Hamilton Collection

Born into a famous artistic family, this notable French Impressionist painter first studied with his father, Jean-Paul Laurens, before entering the studio of Leon Bonnat.  He made his debut at the Salon of the Societe des Artistes Francais in 1899 and, the following year, received a silver medal and travel scholarship for his entry at the Paris International Exposition.  From 1902, Laurens also exhibited with success at the Salon des Tuileries and the Salon of the Societe Nacionale.  In 1920, he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for his services to art.  Laurens’ work is held in the permanent collections of European state museums including the Musee d’Arte Moderne in Paris.  This lyrical example dates from circa 1900 and shows the young artist's skillful harmonizing of the dramatic interplay of light and water.    

Reference:

Benezit, Dictionnaire des Peintres, Vol. VIII, p.332; Kunstlexicon, Thieme-Becker, Vol. XXII, p.446; Mallett’s Index of Artists, p.246; Davenport’s Art Reference Guide, 2003/4 Edition, p.1223.