Marcel Fournier (1869-1917) l'Estaque And View Of Paris. Traveling Painter, Auvergne, Crozant, Allier

I am offering these two rare and very beautiful watercolors by Marcel Fournier, one depicting a view of L'Estaque and the other a view of the Seine in Paris. Both are signed, and the L'Estaque watercolor is located in the city. The visible size of both watercolors, excluding frames, is 25 x 33 cm. Both come in their original gilt frames and are in perfect condition. Price for the L'Estaque watercolor alone: €380. Price for the Paris view alone: €350. The price for both is €670. These are indeed two magnificent watercolors by Marcel Fournier. The first depicts a view of L'Estaque near Marseille, a lively scene with boats, executed in a Fauvist style. Fournier employs his powerful and highly stylized brushstrokes, reminiscent of the Fauves, and also reflects the influence of Cézanne at this time—a skillful blend of the Aix master and Albert Marquet. The second depicts a view of the Seine and the quays in Paris, also in a Fauvist style, but with a different palette. Vibrant and colorful, these watercolors are typical of Fournier's later period, a time of extensive travel throughout France and abroad. My regular clients know my fondness for this painter; I've offered several of his works in the past, including views of the Creuse Valley at Crozant, market scenes in Chantelle, the Bouble Valley in winter (a true little Monet), and a seascape in Martigues, among others. However, I very rarely find watercolors; this is only the second time I've encountered them. Indeed, this long-forgotten painter is among the best artists of his generation. He was also part of the Crozant School movement and traveled extensively in many foreign countries (Asia, Africa, Madagascar, etc.), making him an Orientalist painter and traveler, and, above all, one of the finest painters of the Auvergne region. But that's not all; he was also an excellent photographer with a national reputation, then a very good sculptor—in short, a very talented jack-of-all-trades. Born in Chantelle in the Allier region, he had two passions: painting and the sea, as he was a long-distance sailor. He exhibited in the major Parisian Salons: Salon des Indépendants, Salon des Artistes Français, Salon du Champ de Mars, etc., etc., where he presented views of Auvergne, Creuse, Provence (Estaque, Marseille, etc.), the Maghreb, Asia, Singapore, Madagascar, Paris, etc. In short, a very great but forgotten painter. Fortunately, an exhibition and catalogue in 1996 in Chantelle allowed him to emerge from obscurity. I also recommend visiting the website (link provided) where you can find a fairly complete biography. https://www.voussac.fr/marcel-fournier-peintre-navigateur-au-long-cours/ One of his works can also be found at the French Embassy in Lisbon. He is also listed in the catalogue on the Crozant School and in a third book, "Nouvelles images: les débuts de la photographie dans l'Allier" (New Images: The Beginnings of Photography in the Allier). Collectors are not mistaken, because even though his works are extremely rare at auction, the few that do come up for sale always achieve very good results, often between €1,500 and €3,000, solely due to the quality of his work. I myself have sold several paintings for between €1 and €3,000, depending on the size and subject matter.