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ARMAND GUILLAUMIN 1841-1927 Impressionist Painter
Founder member of the
"Ecole de Crozant" and
the longest surviving member of the impressionist movement, and probably
one of the least known.
He was born in Paris to a family that
originated from Central France. He spent his formative years painting and
drawing when he could whilst working originally for his uncle and then
later for the Paris-Orleans railway. He then attended the Academy Suisse
(where he met Cezanne and Pissarro and became close friends). He exhibited
at most of the Impressionist exhibitions, but financial stability followed
his large prize from the
Loterie Nationale in 1891.
In 1892, Armand Guillaumin,
at 50 years old, arrived at Crozant in the Creuse and established the
Impressionist movement. From the beginning of the 20th century through to
1926 the "Ecole
de Crozant " saw its best years.
In 1926 the dam at Eguzon
was completed and the flooding of many of the "painting sites" resulted in
the decline of the movement in this area, although some painters still
visited to paint
La Petite Creuse, la
Sédelle or la Gargilesse.
You can see some original paintings at the
Gueret Museum d'Art et Archeaolgie - it is free entry the first Sunday of
each month, but it is not expensive on normal days. The fine building is
in the Public Gardens. You can park just outside on the street.
Pictures courtesy of
http://www.the-athenaeum.org
Excellent site - worth a visit.
Other sources:
Armand Guillaumin
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