Oil On Canvas, The Artist's Children By Georges Castex

Georges Castex 1860-1943

Portrait of Jean and lucette (the painter's child) dated 1905

Belongs to that generation of southern painters who immortalized with sensitivity the landscapes and atmosphere of southwestern France.

Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse, he completed his training in Paris before returning to the Ville Rose, to which he remained deeply attached throughout his life.

In his memoirs, he defined himself as the "painter of Toulouse", an appellation that perfectly sums up his work and artistic commitment.

Georges Castex took part in the prestigious project to decorate the Salle des Illustres in Toulouse's Capitole building, alongside leading representatives of the Toulouse School.
He also taught at Toulouse's École des Beaux-Arts, passing on his knowledge to several generations of artists.

The painter here depicts his children in very close-up, their profiles standing out against a landscape.
The bold, almost photographic framing immediately brings the viewer closer to the models.

The little girl, wearing a large red bow, and the boy are looking in the same direction, out of focus. Their attention seems captivated by an unseen event, creating an impression of mystery and expectation. Their faces are treated with great gentleness, while the reds of the clothes respond to the pinkish tones of the sky.

A major retrospective was devoted to him in 2024 at the Musée du Pays de Cocagne in Lavaur.