catalog text
LÉON RICHET
French, 1847-1907
Sunset Gold: Barbizon
Oil on canvas | signed Léon Richet lower right
Item # 407SPJ10A
A highly atmospheric example of Richet's work, it edges on Tonalism with a wonderful exploration of light diffusion and manipulation of shadows in this golden hour landscape. As dusk arrives, the sun is only barely discernible at the edge of the horizon, the brilliant yellows emminating through the clouds evoking a sense of the magical light as evening sets in. A solitary figure rests a rowboat along the shore of the still waters before trees full of autumns hues. The ground is scattered with earthy hues: reds, oranges, browns and ochre yellow.
The painting is housed in an early but not original composition polychromed frame, a pleasing and appropriate compliment to the tranquil scene with a nice overall patinated surface. The canvas is signed in the lower right corner in his typical script "Léon Richet".
LÉON RICHET (FRENCH, 1847-1907)
Born in Solesmes, France in 1847 (generally accepted as 15 April, some texts reference 1843 as his possible birth year), Richet studied under Ambroise Détrez at Valenciennes Academy before becoming a pupil of Narcisse-Virgile Diaz de la Peña (French, 1807-1876) and later studying under Gustave Boulanger and Jules Lefebvre in Paris; Richet collaborated with Lefebvre on several paintings, with the figures being contributed by Lefebvre and Richet handling the landscapes.
Diaz would be most influential on his career both as a tutor and mentor, as is evident in the close thematic and stylistic parallels found in their work. But it is Lefebvre's influence on Richet's ability to capture light, the reflections on water and a general openness in his landscapes that set his work apart from the often shadowy and atmospheric works of his contemporaries. He introduced Richet to the Barbizon School, a group of like-minded artists working in Barbizon, France and in the Forest of Fontainebleau with an avante-garde view of the landscape.
The traditionally acceptable way of capturing landscape was an over-idealized framework for historical storytelling, the landscape being a secondary element for the larger story of the painting that is often devoid of honesty and chaos; the Barbizon School sought to rebel against this notion, their efforts aimed at attempting to capture nature and life exactly as it exists without romance or idealization.
The school was active from 1830 through around 1870 and featured such luminaries as Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Jean-Francois Millet and Theodore Rousseau, an artist who inspired Richet considerably.
Richet featured at the Paris Salon and then at the Salon of the Société des Artistes Franćais starting in 1869 and he continued to exhibit regularly through 1906. He was awarded an honourable mention in 1885, a second class medal in 1888 and another second class medal in 1901.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, vol. XI, Gründ, 2006, p. 1010-1011
- The Barbizon School and 19th-Century French Landscape Painting, Bouret, 1973, p. 256
Measurements: 17 1/4” H x 25 3/4” W [canvas]
; 23” H x 31 3/8” W x 2 9/16” D [frame]
Condition Report:
Professionally cleaned and conserved, where the old varnish was removed, losses (primarily around extreme edges) were inpainted, sealed with traditional Dammar varnish. Original stretcher in excellent condition, all keys present, missing middle bar but not necessary. Linen has wax lining. Minor craquelure. Ready to place.