A oil on panel painting of the rock formation known as Gargantua’s Chair near Rouen by French painter Albert Malet.
Born in Bosc le Hard, north of Rouen in 1912, Malet began painting at the age of 19, benefiting from the advice of his illustrious teacher, Robert Antoine Pinchon, himself a pupil of Albert Lebourg (two masters of the Rouen school).
A talented colorist and luminist, Malet captures on canvas the fleeting atmosphere and fluctuating colors of his subjects.
Setting up his easel in the Normandy countryside, he knew how to allow himself to be immersed in places, the better to transcribe them.
His motto was “See everything, feel everything”
From 1942 onwards, he exhibited at the Salon de l’Ecole Française in Paris, then at the Galerie Legrip in Rouen, and abroad in Algeria, Germany, Japan…
He died in Rouen in 1986.
He is considered the last of the French Impressionists.
Gargantua’s Chair is a rock formation west of Rouen, in the commune of La Fontaine, not far from Duclair…
This rock formation has led popular imagination to associate it with the good giant Gargantua, who allowed him to rest during his walks, while keeping a benevolent eye on the city of Rouen.
With a fairly classic setting, where the sky occupies the upper half of the composition, the artist interpreted his vision of the hills in very interesting dusty pinks and mauve tones, highlighting the whiteness of the chalk blocks.
The landscape is imbued with infinite softness; the waters of the Seine are calm and flat, reflecting the rock formations.
Only the barge outlines the human presence in this magnificent Normandy landscape.
As always along the banks of the Seine, one can feel the presence of the mist, the faithful companion of the river and Normandy.
The Impressionist style is clearly identifiable, with the small, clearly visible brushstrokes, placing different shades side by side to create a relief effect. Malet played with his palette to bring his painting to life.
A beautiful work by this artist whose popularity continues to rise.
Oil on panel in perfect condition, signed lower right, in a giltwood frame.
Located and dated on the back.
Unframed 13 X 18 inches
Framed 18 1/2 X 24 inches