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ARMAND GUILLAUMIN
Paris 1841-1927 Paris
Agay, la pointe du Dramont Saint-Martin, May, 1895
Oil on canvas
803 x 1124 mm.; 31 5/8 x 44 1/4 inches
Signed “Guillaumin”, lower right
Reverse: dated and titled “Agay-May-95-La pointe du dramont Saint-Martin”
Notes:
1. A major and exceptional painting by Guillaumin who, together with Monet,
Renoir, Pissarro and Degas, participated in seven of the eight great
impressionist exhibitions which took place in Paris between 1874 and 1886. One
of the most astute critics of his times, Joris-Karl Huysmans, reviewed the
Impressionist exhibitions of 1880 and 1881. In the exhibition of 1880, Huysmans
had little praise for anyone outside of Degas, Cassatt and their artistic
colleagues. In 1881, he had particular praise for both Pissarro and Gauguin.
With respect to Guillaumin, his comments are noteworthy in understanding that
artist’s objectives (quoted in Christopher Gray, Guillaumin, Geneva, 1972: page
22):
M. Guillaumin is also a colourist, and what is more, a fierce one. At first
glance his canvases are sludges of combating tones and worn contours, an
accumulation of vermilion and Prussian blue stripes; step back a little and at a
second glance everything falls into place: the scheme becomes surer, the loud
tones become calm, the clashing colors become reconciled and we are amazed at
the unforeseen delicacy of certain parts of his paintings...
2. Philippe Cazeau and Dominique Fabiani, in a certificate dated September 22,
2000, have confirmed the authenticity of this work and state that the work will
be included in the second volume of their Guillaumin Catalogue Raisonné,
presently being prepared.