Fernand Allard l'Olivier (1883–1933) - Nice, 1920 – Public Garden -

Oil on wood, signed "F. Allard L'Olivier" in the lower right corner.
Measuring 27 cm x 22 cm.
Depicting a bustling public garden in Nicepainted around 1920.

Fernand Allard L'Olivier, 1883–1933, Post-Impressionist painter of genre scenes, figures, portraits, nudes, landscapes, still lifes, and flowers. Africanist. Lithographer, illustrator, and decorator. He studied engraving at the Academy of Tournai, his hometown, and lithography in Brussels in his father’s studio. He furthered his training in Paris beginning in 1901 at the Académie Julian under William Bougereau and Jean-Paul Laurens. It was in Jules Adler’s studio that he found his calling. Far removed from the academic style of his two previous teachers, Adler—nicknamed “the painter of the humble”—encouraged him to paint his first street scenes, to set aside historical subjects in favor of everyday life. Adler remained his mentor and friend throughout his life. He exhibited in Paris in 1910 with Les Indépendants and in 1912 with Les Artistes Français. He won the 1912 Hainaut Prize. He was commissioned to create decorations for the Antwerp Colonial Exhibition in 1894 and for the Antwerp World’s Fair, at the Belgian Congo Palace, in 1930. During World War I, he was a member of the Artistic Section of the Belgian Army in the Field, led by Lieutenant Horlait, where he worked alongside Alfred Bastien, Maurice Wagemans, Jules Berchmans, Jos Verdegem, Léon Huygens, and Pierre Paulus, among others. The Section was based in La Panne; in 1916 and 1917, he made trips lasting several days into the trenches to paint. From this period, we have a series of black-and-white drawings, watercolors, and paintings that serve as moving testimonies: ruins, shelters, field hospitals, chapels, ragged soldiers, and views of the front. After the war, he undertook numerous trips throughout Europe and to North African countries (Algeria and Tunisia). It was especially in the Congo—where he lived in 1928 and 1933—that he produced his finest works depicting African life. He died in an accident in the Congo River on June 9, 1933. He is buried at the Protestant mission in Yanongé. In 1929, he illustrated *Le Miroir du Congo Belge*. He created murals at the Maison du Peuple in Quaregnon (1921–22) and at the town hall in Jemappes (1924). Works are held in museums in Antwerp, Brussels (Army Museum), Charleroi, La Louvière, Ypres, Mons, Roubaix, and Tournai. The artist is listed in Bénézit, Arto, and Piron (with examples of his signature). Listed on Artprice, Artnet, Akoun...

This wooden panel is in very good condition.
The painting, which has never been cleaned and shows only minor soiling, is in good original condition. Two small visible chips at the top center.
Painting in good original condition.

Shipping costs via Colissimo Registered and Insured:
France: 18€
Belgium: 10€
EEC: 25€
USA: Upon request.