Félix Vallotton
Félix Vallotton is one of these artists that, when I first saw their works, I couldn't believe my eyes.
Vallotton was a Swiss-French painter and printmaker renowned for his involvement with Les Nabis and his strikingly precise and clear-cut style of woodcut prints. His art, characterized by bold contrasts and a keen observational eye, masterfully captured the intricacies of human nature and the subtleties of social interactions, making him a pivotal figure in late 19th and early 20th-century European art. He is so modern and sharp. For me he is like Hopper's artistic father; they had a similar eye for reality.
Today, thanks to the Kunstmuseum Basel (we continue our special month with their collection), we present one of his landscapes that looks like a crime scene from some mystery TV series. Vallotton first visited the fishing village of Honfleur, located on the French Normandy coast, in the summer of 1901. From the summer of 1909, he returned there regularly. From then on, Honfleur became his favorite holiday resort. This summer sojourn marked the beginning of a phase in which he returned to painting landscapes. The sea became a constant motif. Vallotton prepared the Basel painting based on a preliminary drawing, accompanied by information on the colors in pencil.
See you tomorrow, in April! To all who celebrate: Happy Easter! :)
P.S. Did you know Vallotton began his career as an art critic and was involved in anarchist circles? Learn about Vallotton's life and enigmatic art!