Albert André | Post-Impressionist painter

Benjamin André Albert Marie (24 May 1869 - 11 July 1954), the well-known Post-Impressionist artist and painter of 'intimiste'interiors, still lifes and Parisian scenes, was born in Lyon-.

André spent his childhood vacations in Laudun where his family owned vineyards.

Aged 20 he left for Paris where he studied painting at the Académie Julian.

On the same course were Louis Valtat, Maurice Denis and Pierre Bonnard🎨, and like them he began painting in a Post-Impressionist manner, using the colours, light and subject matter of the mainstream Impressionists🎨 but adding more expression and design.

As early as 1894 André participated in the Salon des Indépendants where his five canvases won the admiration of August Renoir🎨 and were bought by the extremely famous and influential art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel.

From 1895-1901, he showed at a number of salons such as the Salon des Cent, the Salon des Indépendants🎨, and the Exposition d’Art Nouveau🎨.

In 1904, he participated in the Salon de la Libre Esthétique in Brussels then, on the invitation of Paul Signac🎨, in the Salon d’Automne.

The Durand-Ruel gallery showed his works in one-man shows, a particular honour.

Then in 1912, Albert André’s works were exhibited in New York and in 1913, he was one of the painters chosen to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Libre Esthétique in Brussels, on the theme of an interpretation of southern France.

The town of Laudun was always an inspiration for him, he painted mainly in his workshop directly from memory, as did his impressionist friends🎨.

After the First World War, he returned to Laudun where he took charge of the museum of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, encouraged by Renoir🎨. He was conservator from 1917-1954.

In 1918, he wrote a monograph on Renoir🎨, the only one written by a Frenchman during Renoir🎨’s life.

He went on to organize a retrospective of Renoir🎨’s work in 1921, three years after the master’s death, at the Durand-Ruel gallery.

In 1923, after a fire damaged the museum of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, André’s friends Bonnard🎨, Elie Faure, Durand-Ruel, Monet🎨, Marquet, Signac🎨 and Valtat offered him works for his ‘Museum of empty walls’.

It was in his family home that he received his friends, including Cézanne🎨.

He returned to Paris in 1947 where he died on July 11, 1954 at 85 years old, just before the opening of an exhibition of his works at the museum of Avignon.

The Salon d’Automne organized a retrospective of his works the following year.

The works of Albert André are represented in many important museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Chicago Art Institute, the museums in Philadelphia and Washington DC, and the Musée D’Orsay in Paris.

Albert André - Renoir Seated in the Garden

Albert André - Portrait de Renoir

Albert André - Renoir peignant

Benjamin André Albert Marie [nato a Lione (Rodano) il 24 maggio 1869 e morto a Laudun (Gard) il 11 luglio 1954] è stato un pittore Figurativo Post-Impressionista francese.

Nel 1889, si trasferì a Parigi per iscriversi alla Académie Julian, dove incontrò Ranson, Valtat e Georges d'Espagnat. Studiò anche i Nabis🎨 dai quali trarrà molto: Bonnard🎨, Vuillard🎨, Denis e Vallotton. Poi ha incontrato Marquet e Signac🎨.

Nel 1894, ha partecipato al Salon des Indépendants con 5 dipinti rapidamente notati da Auguste Renoir🎨.

Nonostante la loro differenza di età, una solida amicizia unirà i due fino alla morte di Renoir🎨 nel 1919.

Questo incontro inaspettato effettivamente guiderà la carriera e la vita di Albert André.

Attraverso il mercante di Renoir🎨, Paul Durand-Rue, Albert André venderà molti suoi quadri negli Stati Uniti.

Guidato da Renoir🎨 poi accettò la carica di curatore di Bagnols-sur-Cèze (vicina città di Laudun) che ha mantenuto fino alla sua morte nel 1954.