Paulin Bertrand (1852-1940) The Two Friends

Large oil painting on canvas signed PAULIN BERTRAND (*Paulin-André BERTRAND 1852-1940 painter of portraits, animated landscapes, landscapes, seascapes, pastellist, sculptor). Romantic composition featuring a refined bourgeois interior from the end of the 19th century animated by two young women gathered around a letter from the heart - love letter. Beautiful period frame in gilded wood in the Louis XV style (some wear and losses). Dimensions: 86 cm X 75 cm / view 66 cm X 55 cm Paulin-André Bertrand (1852-1940) was a pupil of Alexandre Cabanel at the Ecole des Beaux-arts in Paris. He debuted at the Salon of French Artists in Paris in 1878, with two portraits. He exhibited there without interruption until 1925, obtaining a medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1900, a gold medal and the Marie Bashkirtseff prize which placed him out of competition. He also participated in the Universal Exhibitions of London, Brussels, Saint-Louis, Sao Paulo. He was a painter for the Ministry of the Navy. Paulin Bertrand remained in Paris for fifty years and regularly traveled south to Carqueiranne. In July 1900, he married Jullia Pillore, godmother of the painter Marcel Duchamp and art critic. From 1866, he became friends with the poet Jean Aicard who would become an academician in 1909 Paulin Bertrand and his wife stayed with their friend in La Gardegarde in his villa "Les Lauriers roses" which will be bequeathed to them on the death of the academician in 1921, when the artist died, his wife bequeathed the villa and its various collections to the city of Toulon, which opened a Jean Aicard-Paulin Bertrand museum there. Paulin Bertrand participated in the Salon of French artists from 1880 to 1932. He exhibited portraits and landscapes. He also participated in the universal exhibitions of London, Brussels, Sao Paolo, as well as national exhibitions in Paris and Marseille. It is a 3rd class medal in 1889 for the Portrait of Augustin Daumas (deputy of Var and senator) and a 2nd class medal in 1890. In 1891, he became official painter of the Navy. He also made some sculpted busts and engravings. In 1921, he was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.