Golden Light by Antoine Bouvard
Golden Light by Antoine Bouvard
Antoine Bouvard was a French landscape artist who notably often painted under the pseudonym Marc Aldine. Bouvard remains best known for his exquisite renderings of Venetian canal scenes. He trained as an architect and studied art and architecture under Constant-Dufeus, at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He became the Director of Architectural Services for the Seine, and was responsible for the construction of the Bourse du Travail and the Boulevard Morland in Paris.
DIMENSIONS: (unframed) 38.1 x 45.7 cm/15.0 x 18.0 ins
SIGNATURE: Signed lower right
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas
Price: £POA.
Antoine Bouvard became very popular to his sensitive understanding of Venice. Not only did he capture the activity and glamour of well-known scenes like the Grand Canal and the Santa Maria Della Salute but he also caught the atmosphere and serenity of the backwaters. His paintings demonstrate his architectural skill whilst reflecting his love of Venice’s unique light effects.
His works are broad and confidently painted, capturing all the charm of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. He exhibited throughout France and Italy as well as many provincial European galleries during his own lifetime.
Provenance
Private Collection, United Kingdom
Biography
Born at St. Étienne France, Antoine Bouvard studied at the Academy of Fine Art at St. Étienne and established himself as an artist, painting canvases in the Barbizon style. He also worked as a graphic designer, producing designs for Galerie Lafayette and for Markovich cigarettes. In 1924 he established a studio at Val d’Oise, and in 1930 he visited Venice and instantly fell in love with its special light and scenery.
He returned to the city many times during the following years and specialized in painting Venetian views. Bouvard also worked under the pseudonym of Marc Aldine, allowing him further success through alternative markets for his work. Venice had always been a popular venue for visitors on the Grand Tour throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth century and with the development of the European rail network in the latter part of the nineteenth century, Venice attracted visitors in even greater numbers. This trend was to continue throughout the twentieth century, extending the market for Bouvard’s work.
The artist’s son, George Nöel Béraud 1912 – 1972, was also an artist and painted under the name of George Nöel Bouvard. He was born in Paris and died in Écouen and painted in a style similar to that of his father.
His best work has a radiant poetry of light which marks him out as a highly individual and skilled artist.