Maurice Martin (1894 -1978) - Vignemale Massif And Gaube Lake - Pyrenees » Panel 19.5 X 24 Cm

Maurice MARTIN (Mormant 1894 - Paris 1978) "Vignemale Massif and Lake Gaube" Oil on panel signed lower right H: 19.5 cm x W: 24 cm Biography of Maurice Martin, French landscape painter: Maurice Martin was born in 1894 in Mormant, where he spent his entire childhood. A gifted student, he spent his free time drawing. His father had him work in the family building painting business. The family moved to Paris around 1910 and the young painter continued to work there until 1914, regretting not being able to study at the Beaux-Arts. Called up in August 1914 to Lisieux for military training, he left for the front three months later. Long wounded, he returned to his regiment in Lisieux in 1917. Throughout his professional life, he devoted his free time to frequenting painting studios, including the studio at La Grande Chaumière and that of Pierre-Gaston Rigaud. Like Alfred Sisley, then Pierre Eugène Montézin, whom he often met, he was inspired by the Loing Valley, the Île-de-France region, and Touraine. Maurice Martin began painting in Vendôme around 1925 and returned regularly. He set up his easel in Troo, Saint-Jacques-des-Guérets, Montoire, and especially in Lavardin, where he owned a house. Painter friends joined him there. From 1932 onward, he exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants, the Salon d'Automne, and especially the Salon des Artistes Français. He participated in the Salon de la Marine and the Salon Comparaisons. In 1936, he received an honorable mention at the Salon des Artistes français for Le Quai des laveuses à Moret as well as the Paul Liot Prize and in 1942 a silver medal at the same salon. In 1946, also at this Salon, he received the Gold Medal as well as the Corot Prize and the Rosa Bonheur Prize. In 1950, the year from which he devoted himself fully to his art, he received the Morocco Prize, in 1960 the Madagascar Prize and in 1969 the Tunisia Prize. Beyond these numerous awards, he also received grants that allowed him to work in the countries concerned: in 1951 in Morocco, from December to June 1961 in Madagascar and in 1969 in Tunisia. He died in Paris in 1978 after having worked there until the end.