Jean-louis Paguenaud (1876-1952) Navy - Warship - Battleship - Cruiser

This impressive seascape illustrates the full power and mastery of Jean-Louis Paguenaud, Official Painter of the French Navy. At the center of the composition, a large warship majestically cuts through the waves, its grey hull standing out against a dark, stormy sea. In the background, a second vessel follows at a distance, reinforcing the sense of maneuver and naval strength.

The dramatic sky, swept with clouds and cool glimmers of light, conveys both the harshness of maritime conditions and the nobility of duty at sea. Through the vigor of his brushwork and the precision of his drawing, Paguenaud renders with realism the movement of the waves and the force of the wind.

The treatment of the sea is particularly remarkable: the swell appears truly alive, its foaming crests splashing against the hull while the sea spray drifts into the air. Rays of sunlight, filtering through the clouds, are subtly reflected on the agitated surface.

A painter of light and maritime atmosphere, Jean-Louis Paguenaud devoted his career to glorifying the French Navy and celebrating the spirit of adventure and bravery of French sailors. This work is a masterful expression of that vision, combining the rigor of a military painter with the sensitivity of a poet of the sea.

Jean-Louis PAGUENAUD (1876–1952)

Jean-Louis Paguenaud was a French painter, illustrator, and decorator, born in Limoges in 1876 and deceased in Paris in 1952. A versatile artist, he is best known for his powerful and luminous marine paintings, which earned him the prestigious title of Official Painter of the French Navy.

After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Limoges, he trained in Paris in the studio of the great painter Fernand Cormon, mentor of Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. From his earliest works, Paguenaud showed a strong taste for composition, light, and movement. He exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Français, where he won a silver medal in 1922 and a gold medal in 1925.

Appointed Official Painter of the Navy in the 1920s, he devoted much of his work to glorifying the French fleet and maritime life. His canvases often depict warships in storms, bustling ports, or scenes of naval maneuvers, always bathed in vibrant light. His precise technique and subtle palette faithfully capture the texture of the sea, the play of sea spray, and the changing reflections of the sky on the water.

Paguenaud was also an illustrator and decorator, notably for the Limoges porcelain manufacturers, where he created decorative panels and ceramic designs. He received several public commissions and participated in the 1937 International Exhibition.

His works are now held in several French museums, including the Musée National de la Marine (Paris), the Musée de Limoges, and many private collections.

Jean-Louis Paguenaud remains one of the leading figures of early 20th-century French maritime painting, combining documentary precision with poetic sensitivity.

Condition:
The work is in very good condition, with some age-related craquelure to note, and the canvas slightly slackened a light scratch and a small snag present.
Sold with wooden frame.

Canvas size: 112 × 77 cm
Frame size: 122 × 87 cm

We are seeking works by official marine painters such as Jean-Louis Paguenaud.

Photographs were taken in natural light.
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