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Georges d' Espagnat Biography
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Georges d’Espagnat was born in Melun in 1870. He trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was to become professor from 1936 until 1940.
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His first exhibition was held in the Salon des Independants in 1892, from whence he exhibited regularly at the Salon d’Automne (which he helped found) and the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Though he held great esteem for the Impressionists, counting artists such as Renoir amongst his friends, Georges d’Espagnat developed a distinctive style that has at times been described as a mixture of Impressionism, Symbolism and Fauvism. He is said to have been an enthusiast for diversity and considered ‘re-using ideas that have already been conceived as childlike and unoriginal’.
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In 1898 he travelled to Morocco and this, along with the works of Delacroix, inspired him enormously. Subsequent journeys took him to Italy, Spain, Portugal, England and Germany. Many visits were paid to Renoir with Valtat, and he was friendly with Bonnard, Vuillard and Maurice Denis amongst others. His subject matter, ranging from landscapes and still lifes to nudes and portraits, show great talent in their range. Of the many portraits he undertook are included those of Paul Valéry, Maurice Ravel, Albert André, Paule Gobillard and Paul Signac.
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D'Espagnat was the last artist to be taken on by the great Impressionist dealer Durand-Ruel, who commissioned him to decorate his country house. He was also commissioned by Dr Viau, the Impressionist collector, to decorate his house in Villennes-sur-Seine in 1900. Other later mural works include the town hall in Vincennes and the Palais de la Découverte. The museum in Nantes has his Nu s’habillant.
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As well as painting, d'Espagnat produced drawings of contemporary life for the Courrier Français and Rire, and illustrated and designed stage sets.
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