François Nardi (1861–1936) Toulon, Autumn On The Baou Des 4 Ouros

A subtle, dance-like touch, the magnificent colors of autumn, and inthe center, a fire burning slowly, its smoke setting the rhythm of the scene underthe shelter of a church dominated by the Baou des 4 Ouros, a famous mountainwell known to the people of Toulon.
A marvel of realism and harmony, this imposing work is by theleading Toulon artist, the great François Nardi.
The work, in an unusual format, is painted in oil on canvas andis presented in a period gilded frame measuring 129 cm by 177 cm, with thecanvas itself measuring 144 cm by 164 cm.
In its original condition, on the back, there is a small, old restoration that does notaffect the painting, a light cleaning may be considered.
A masterful and extraordinary work, signed and dated 1897 in the lowerright corner.

A self-taught artist, he was noticed by Frédéric Montenard, who offered him advice and encouraged him to go to Paris. After attending the Académie Julian (1887-1889) and exhibiting his works at the Salon des Artistes Français, he quickly achieved international success with his landscapes of the Mediterranean and Provence. In his early work, he shared similarities with his contemporary, Claude Monet, but seems to have been only slightly influenced by the artistic movements of his time. Nevertheless, he remained closely aligned with the Impressionists. Returning to Toulon in 1909, he continued to paint until his death. His oeuvre comprises more than 3,500 works, including paintings, oil paintings on wood, watercolors, and drawings.

With a style reminiscent of the Impressionists – François Nardi is often called the "painter of atmosphere, effects, and deep waters" –

His style remains relatively consistent from beginning to end, though this doesn't preclude a certain diversity. His work is characterized above all by a deep connection to the Mediterranean and Provence.
It features the movement of the sea, the harbor of Toulon, sails, fishing boats and squadron views, leaning pines, and tranquil coves. Ports abound, Toulon of course, but also those of Nice, Cannes, Cassis, and Marseille. The landscapes, with their paths, flowering trees, rivers, and houses, are almost all located in the Toulon hinterland. From the towns, he particularly focuses on the steep streets, squares, markets, facades, and church steeples.

Often painting the same places, he captures their changing appearances through the effects of the mistral wind, clouds, or sunshine, and the skies of morning and evening. He enjoys depicting the vastness of the sea, whether calm or choppy, as much as the coastlines with their turbulent waves or, conversely, peaceful ones into which one can plunge, often through the pines, into the depths.

In Paris, his southern soul is primarily drawn to the Seine, with its bridges and boats, around the Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame. He has a particular fondness for the Place de la Concorde, which he portrays from every angle, not forgetting the Place de la République and the Place Pigalle.

In Venice, he delights in capturing the interplay of light and shadow on the water and the facades in the canals. The sails of the bragozzi (traditional fishing boats) or the large ships, as well as the gondolas, often capture his interest. Drawing was a central part of François Nardi's artistic training, from his early studies in nature to his later work as a form of study. His painting output is primarily concentrated between 1887 and 1909. Afterward, due to his limited mobility, he produced more oil paintings on wood and watercolors than canvases.
His oeuvre comprises no fewer than 3,500 works.

Main Exhibitions
Paris, Salon des Artistes Français

• 1889: Fishing Boat in Provence (1988)
• 1890: Toulon Harbor, Mistral Wind Effect (1775); A Corner of the Old Port, Toulon (1776)
• 1891: A Quay at Sunset, Toulon (1229); The City of Toulon (1230)
• 1892: Mistral Wind Effect, Morning (1273); Mistral and Dust (1274)
• 1893: In Provence (Road of the "Lovers' River")
• 1894: Misty Morning in Toulon Harbor (1374); Landscape in Provence (1375)
• 1895: Sunset (1423) A Corner of Toulon Harbor (1424)
• 1896: Effect of Gray Weather in Provence, Toulon (1493)
• 1897: Toulon Harbor, Mistral Wind Effect (1252); Landscape in Provence, Toulon (1253)
• 1898: First Days of Autumn in Provence (1525)
• 1899: Magaud Bay at Sunset, Provence (1469); Road in Provence in the Sun (1470)
• 1900: Olive Trees and the Road to Cap Brun, Toulon (986)
• 1901: A Path in Provence (1527); Boat Under Repair, Toulon (1528)
• 1902: Transparencies of the Sea (1231) Olive Trees in Provence (1232)
• 1903: The Grand Canal in Venice (1332)
• 1904: The Old Port of Toulon (1345)
• 1905: Sanary through the pines and olive trees, Provence (1409)
• 1906: On the heights of Bormes, Provence (1243)
• 1907: The Market of Place Saint-Jean, Toulon (1196)
• 1908: Cap Brun, Toulon (1363)
• 1909: In the Old Port of Marseille (1348)
• 1931: Transparencies of the Sea (French Riviera) (1659)
Main Exhibitions

Paris, Salon des Indépendants
• 1892: Four Views of Paris
• 1893: Mistral Wind Effect, Evening; Seascape with pine branch; Calm morning on the coast (Provence); Magaud rocks; Entrance to the commercial port (Toulon); Forges and shipyards of La Seyne

• 1894: A Corner of the Merchant Port; A Corner of Toulon Harbor; Le Mourillon Seen from the Coast; Morning Effect, at L'Estaque; Tartanes at L'Estaque
• 1895: Tartane Leaving; Fort Saint-Louis, Toulon; Battleship in Calm Weather, Toulon Harbor; Market at Toulon; Riverside Cafés at Les Sablettes; Tartanes; Gray Weather; Old Farmhouse at Les Sablettes
Other Exhibitions
• Bordeaux: Society of Friends of the Arts in 1892, then from 1894 to 1908 (except 1903)
• Chicago (United States): World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 (French section, out of competition), Mistral Wind Effect, Morning, Toulon Harbor
• Florence (Italy): Society of Fine Arts in 1891 and 1892
• Hyères: Society of Friends of the Arts, from 1913 to 1914, and from 1919 to 1915
• Monaco: International Exhibition, from 1895 to 1913 (except 1897), 1920 and 1922
• Nantes: 1894 to 1902, 1905, 1906
• Nice: Society of Fine Arts in 1894, 1903, 1906, 1908, 1910, 1914 and 1921
• Saint Petersburg (Russia): Palace of Fine Arts in 1901, Torpedo boats battered by the mistral wind in the Toulon roadstead; First days of autumn in Provence; Magaud Bay at Sunset (near Toulon)
• Toulon: Society of Friends of the Arts in 1903, 1906, 1909, 1911, and from 1923 to 1936
• Toulouse: from 1893 to 1903 (except 1897), and from 1906 to 1909
Posthumous Exhibitions
• Paris: Salon of French Artists of 1937, Pine Tree by the Sea and Cliff (no. 953)
• Toulon: Society of Friends of the Arts in 1937, Honorary Panel
• Toulon: Municipal Museum of Fine Arts in 1984, François Nardi
• Hyères: Municipal Museum Les Palmiers in 1986, François Nardi. From Venice to Paris
• Toulon: Maritime Museum in 1986, François Nardi. The Toulon harbor
• Toulon: National Maritime Museum, 1989, François Nardi. The sea, the ports, Provence
• Hyères: Municipal Museum Les Palmiers, 1994, François Nardi in Provence