Jean Louis Appian (1862-1896), View Of A Hamlet In France

Jean Louis Appian (1862-1896)
View of a hamlet
drawing in charcoal heightened with white chalk on blue paper
350 x 255 mm
signed lower right
old exhibition label in the lower right corner of the sheet (see photo)

In good condition, the blue of the paper slightly faded
Framed, under glass

In line with the countryside landscapes of his father Adolphe Appian or Jean Charles Cazin, Jean Louis Appian (1862-1896) here evokes with great charm the calm and the silence of a hamlet, in the moment when the inhabitants are resting.
The blue paper, which the artist often used, allows him to achieve a harmony that is entirely representative of his style. Several details catch the eye as they catch the light, admirably distributed by the highlights of white chalk: the laundry drying on the windowsills, the stairs, the objects of the everyday life.
It is interesting to note that the tree which appears in the composition, on the right, is only drawn in charcoal. Showing restraint, without using white chalk, the artist drew this tree as a perfect counterpoint to the solid architectures bathed in light.

The landscape depicted here is certainly located in the countryside of Lyon, the artist's birthplace. We can date it from the years 1885-1896, which represent the too short career of Jean Louis Appian. During this period, he often showed his works within the Société des Artistes Lyonnais as well as in Paris. Other painters from his region have probably guided his sensibility, notably François-Auguste Ravier and François Vernay.

The drawing is well preserved, slight foxing spots can be seen along the lower border.
On the back of the sheet, a sketch of a standing figure echoes other compositions by Jean Louis Appian, market scenes, village scenes, which the artist also liked to create under his brushes and pencils.