Fernand Maillaud (1863–1948) *la Florentine*, Var. School Of Crozant, Berry, Creuse, Rollinat...

A new work by Fernand Maillaud—this time a magnificent gouache depicting a shepherd near La Florentine in the Var region, signed and dated in the lower left corner.
The gouache measures 21x25 cm unframed and 29x33 cm framed. 
The gouache is in very good condition and comes in a lovely modern gold-colored frame.
Authenticity guaranteed.

This is a new gouache by Fernand Maillaud, in which he depicts a shepherd near his villa in the Var region, the Florentine. As is his custom—especially in gouache, a medium in which he is, in my opinion, at his best—his brushwork is powerful and unhesitating, and his palette is extremely subtle, blending greens, grays, and blues with yellows, ochres, whites, and more...
La Florentine was his second villa, which he had built in the Var region on the hills above Toulon; his first was called Le Renabec, located in the Guêret Mountains. In fact, Maillaud enjoyed such success as a painter that he was able to have these two beautiful villas built. Many prominent figures came to visit him at La Florentine—including, of course, his adopted daughter Solange Christauflour, as well as Paul Surtel, Raymond Christoflour, Nigond, and others....

Fernand Maillaud needs no introduction—he is an outstanding painter and a “leading figure” of the Crozant school, known for his views of the banks of the Creuse River, but also and above all for those of his native region, Berry, and finally of Provence, his second adopted home. His reputation is well-established, even across the Atlantic, where he enjoyed enormous success during his lifetime and continues to do so today. Maillaud achieved fame through his rustic scenes of peasant life, as well as his famous market scenes; but he was also recognized for his Orientalist scenes, his views of Venice and Paris from his early career, some of which are housed at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris. He was also close to the famous poet Maurice Rollinat, whom he sketched on several occasions. His attachment to his native Berry and to the Creuse region earned him a place among the finest painters of the Crozant school, alongside the Detroys, Guillaumin, and Alluaud.
It was thought that his market value was declining, yet his paintings have continued to sell very, very well very recently, with prices peaking at over €3,500. Thus, he is an iconic painter of the Crozant School, but also of the Provençal school, he is equally renowned for his Orientalist scenes, his portraits, and finally his tapestries and even his carved furniture.
Several books have been published about this artist.