Lot Essay
Cyrille Martin has confirmed the authenticity of this painting.
By the age of twenty-three, Henri Martin had already won a gold medal at the Salon of 1883. Two years later he received a scholarship to work in Italy. This period of study remained an influence throughout his oeuvre and can be seen in Vue de Labastide-du-Vert which combines the vivid brushwork of his Impressionist colleagues within the context of a structured composition. Clearly aware of the principles of optical mixing of color, Martin applies the technique of pointillism to this work, enlivening the static composition with staccato brushwork and bold color. With landscape paintings of this type, Martin became a highly decorated artist. He was the recipient of the Grand Prix in the Exposition Universelle of 1900, elected commander of the Legion of Honor in 1914, and made member of the Institute in 1918. He was also granted numerous public commissions: Hôtel de la Ville in Paris, the Palais de Justice, the Conseil d'Etat and the Sorbonne.
In 1900, at the age of forty, Martin purchased a large 17th century house in the village of Labastide-du-Vert in the Lot in southwest France. Marquayrol became Martin's summer retreat, and it was here that he would retire from the city between the months of May and November, revelling in the beauty and serenity of nature that he lacked in Paris. The house was set on the side of a hill, with a large terrace overlooking the village and the surrounding valley. The intensely peaceful surroundings of Marquayrol were to become Martin's preferred subject matter; as well as the landscape around the property, he depicted every single detail of the house and gardens--the round pool and its statue, the terrace, the pergola, the vineyard, the gate and even his pots of geraniums became recurring themes in his work. Marquayrol remained Martin's connection with nature and light for more than forty years, providing him with both his subject matter and his inspiration.
By the age of twenty-three, Henri Martin had already won a gold medal at the Salon of 1883. Two years later he received a scholarship to work in Italy. This period of study remained an influence throughout his oeuvre and can be seen in Vue de Labastide-du-Vert which combines the vivid brushwork of his Impressionist colleagues within the context of a structured composition. Clearly aware of the principles of optical mixing of color, Martin applies the technique of pointillism to this work, enlivening the static composition with staccato brushwork and bold color. With landscape paintings of this type, Martin became a highly decorated artist. He was the recipient of the Grand Prix in the Exposition Universelle of 1900, elected commander of the Legion of Honor in 1914, and made member of the Institute in 1918. He was also granted numerous public commissions: Hôtel de la Ville in Paris, the Palais de Justice, the Conseil d'Etat and the Sorbonne.
In 1900, at the age of forty, Martin purchased a large 17th century house in the village of Labastide-du-Vert in the Lot in southwest France. Marquayrol became Martin's summer retreat, and it was here that he would retire from the city between the months of May and November, revelling in the beauty and serenity of nature that he lacked in Paris. The house was set on the side of a hill, with a large terrace overlooking the village and the surrounding valley. The intensely peaceful surroundings of Marquayrol were to become Martin's preferred subject matter; as well as the landscape around the property, he depicted every single detail of the house and gardens--the round pool and its statue, the terrace, the pergola, the vineyard, the gate and even his pots of geraniums became recurring themes in his work. Marquayrol remained Martin's connection with nature and light for more than forty years, providing him with both his subject matter and his inspiration.