Albert Joseph (1868-1952) Avenue Of Tall Trees, Limousin. Crozant School, Limoges, Gauguin

Second painting by Albert Joseph, this time a beautiful canvas depicting a Limousin landscape, an avenue of tall trees in the Limousin region, perhaps near Eymoutiers or Peyrat-le-Château, signed lower right + two studio stamps on the back from the studio sale of October 19, 1986, at auctioneer Galateau's in Limoges. This painting is also reproduced in color in the catalog of this sale (see last photo). Canvas dimensions: 46 x 61 cm, 56 x 71 cm including the frame. This is a superb new canvas by Albert Joseph depicting a Limousin landscape: a grand avenue lined with tall trees and farmhouses. As is his custom, Joseph employs his characteristic style, somewhere between Fauvism and the Nabis, using broad, flat areas of color, and of course, he adds his even more distinctive touch with his famous greens, ochres, oranges, blues, and so on. A superb post-Impressionist composition that rivals the greatest painters of the Crozant school, of which he was a part. Albert Joseph needs no introduction; he is an essential painter of the Creuse Valley, a painter of strong character who associated with many great painters such as Guillaumin and Gauguin. He was very close to the latter but quickly distanced himself following a falling out; they even returned paintings they had exchanged some time earlier. Born in 1868 in Auteuil, Albert Joseph embarked on an artistic career after leaving high school, enrolling at the Académie Julian in In 1887, he mingled with Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard, and Maurice Denis. Two years later, he embarked on extensive travels through England, Italy, and Algeria, where he lived with desert nomads alongside his friend, the painter René Juste. He began painting professionally at the age of 32, frequenting Barbizon and Brittany. He exhibited for the first time in 1901 at the Salon des Artistes Français before exhibiting at the Salon des Indépendants. In 1903, he sent his first painting, taken in the Creuse Valley, which was well-received by critics. He then traveled to the Mediterranean coast, visiting Banyuls, Cassis, Avignon, and Collioure, a place then frequented by Léon Detroy. There, he particularly studied the effects of light on water. From 1920 onwards, he spent his summers in the Limousin region, in Eymoutiers, Peyrat-le-Château, La Jonchère, and Crozant, where he frequented Eugène Alluaud and Paul Madeline. In contact with the Creuse region, his painting became darker and more rigorous. He painted there until the end of his life, having retired to La Jonchère between 1939 and 1945. He died in 1952 after a solitary end to his career, abandoning all commercial endeavors and selling only to friends or museums. This canvas is in very good condition; perhaps a light cleaning would do it good. I will try to take care of this unless you prefer it in this state, depending on my restorer's availability. Delivered in a modern gilt frame. Artwork guaranteed authentic.