David Eugène Girin (1848-1917), Walk In An Orientalist Landscape

Oil on canvas. Signed lower left. 40 x 30 cm.

This work by David Girin evokes a moment of tranquility, a walk by the sea. The analysis of the characters' clothing as well as certain details of the landscape suggest a Mediterranean or North African setting. The painting is done in a style close to impressionism mixed with oriental influences where the details are blurred in favor of the general atmosphere.

David-Eugène Girin entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Lyon in 1864 and immediately joined Joseph Guichard’s class. He exhibited genre scenes at the Salon and also painted still lifes, notably of flowers. In 1887, with the painting Le Matin, a definitive change occurred: the artist, previously known for his genre paintings, henceforth devoted himself exclusively to landscapes and outdoor scenes. His financial stability allowed him to travel throughout France, providing him with a wide variety of subjects to explore. David Girin also renewed both his palette and his technique. He combined powerful, understated drawing with a palette composed of light earth tones and tinted whites.