Ker-Xavier Roussel (1867 - 1944)

Ker-Xavier Roussel (1867 - 1944) - photo 1

Ker-Xavier Roussel

Ker-Xavier Roussel was a French painter, renowned for his distinctive post-impressionist style and his affiliation with the Nabis, an avant-garde artist group. Born in 1867, Roussel's artistic journey began in his teens and continued robustly into the 20th century, leaving a legacy celebrated for its mythological and bucolic themes.

Roussel's art is characterized by its vivid portrayal of mythological scenes and landscapes, often infused with a sense of eroticism and joy. His work frequently depicts Greek myths set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, featuring figures like women, nymphs, centaurs, and fauns. These large, brightly colored paintings, such as "Rural Festival, Summer" and "The Seasons of Life," marked a departure from the smaller formats typical of the Nabis, showcasing his evolution towards a more expansive and expressive style.

A master of pastels, Roussel's work from the 1890s, such as "La Barrière," displayed at the Musée d'Orsay, reflects the Nabi style with its Japanese print influences, absence of perspective, and contrasting values. His later works, created between 1930 and 1944, often depicted violent mythological deaths, revealing a darker aspect of his artistic expression.

Roussel's contributions extended beyond canvas, as he created large paintings for public spaces and private clients, including a significant panel for the Palais des Nations in Geneva and the front curtain of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. His recognition peaked in the 1930s, with a multi-panel scheme for the Palais de Chaillot and winning the Carnegie Prize for art in 1926.

Despite a period of obscurity, Roussel's work regained attention through exhibitions like "Ker-Xavier Roussel, Private Garden, Dreamed Garden" at the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny, showcasing his significant contributions to art history.

For art collectors and experts, understanding Roussel's work offers insights into the evolution of post-impressionism and the Nabis' influence on modern art. His unique blend of mythological themes and vibrant landscapes represents an important chapter in art history. For those interested in exploring Roussel's work further or keeping updated on related art sales and auctions, signing up for updates is a valuable opportunity to deepen your engagement with this influential artist's legacy.

Date and place of birt:10 december 1867, Lorry-lès-Metz, France
Date and place of death:5 june 1944, L'Étang-la-Ville, France
Nationality:France
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Educator, Painter, Poet
Art school / group:Les Nabis
Genre:Landscape painting, Portrait, Still life
Art style:Post-Impressionism, Symbolism

Creators France

Godefroy Engelmann I (1788 - 1839)
Godefroy Engelmann I
1788 - 1839
Tim Eitel (1971)
Tim Eitel
1971
Pierre-Etienne Monnot (1657 - 1733)
Pierre-Etienne Monnot
1657 - 1733
Nicolas-Jean-Baptiste Raguenet (1715 - 1793)
Nicolas-Jean-Baptiste Raguenet
1715 - 1793
Raymond Hains (1926 - 2005)
Raymond Hains
1926 - 2005
Johann Gotthard von Müller (1747 - 1830)
Johann Gotthard von Müller
1747 - 1830
Boris Petrovich Kryloff (1891 - 1977)
Boris Petrovich Kryloff
1891 - 1977
Jean Raoux (1677 - 1734)
Jean Raoux
1677 - 1734
André Lurçat (1894 - 1970)
André Lurçat
1894 - 1970
François-Louis Lanfant de Metz (1814 - 1892)
François-Louis Lanfant de Metz
1814 - 1892
Louis Anquetin (1861 - 1932)
Louis Anquetin
1861 - 1932
Charlotte Perriand (1903 - 1999)
Charlotte Perriand
1903 - 1999
Edouard Pignon (1905 - 1993)
Edouard Pignon
1905 - 1993
Jean-Baptiste Lallemand (1716 - 1803)
Jean-Baptiste Lallemand
1716 - 1803
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau (1885 - 1953)
Gabriel Argy-Rousseau
1885 - 1953
Alfred Manessier (1911 - 1993)
Alfred Manessier
1911 - 1993

Creators Post-Impressionism

Robert Polhill Bevan (1865 - 1925)
Robert Polhill Bevan
1865 - 1925
Vojtěch Kovařík (1993)
Vojtěch Kovařík
1993
Hugo Höppener (1868 - 1948)
Hugo Höppener
1868 - 1948
Jiri Anderle (1936)
Jiri Anderle
1936
Carlos Schwabe (1866 - 1926)
Carlos Schwabe
1866 - 1926
Béla Iványi-Grünwald (1867 - 1940)
Béla Iványi-Grünwald
1867 - 1940
Heinrich Blunck-Heikendorf (1891 - 1963)
Heinrich Blunck-Heikendorf
1891 - 1963
Renée Vivien (1877 - 1909)
Renée Vivien
1877 - 1909
Nicolae Tonitza (1886 - 1940)
Nicolae Tonitza
1886 - 1940
Shimon Holloshi (1857 - 1918)
Shimon Holloshi
1857 - 1918
William Ratcliffe (1870 - 1955)
William Ratcliffe
1870 - 1955
Pierre Langlade (1907 - 1972)
Pierre Langlade
1907 - 1972
Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld (1878 - 1973)
Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld
1878 - 1973
Bohumil Kubišta (1884 - 1918)
Bohumil Kubišta
1884 - 1918
Eugène Boch (1855 - 1941)
Eugène Boch
1855 - 1941
Aleksandr Dmitrievich Aref'ev (1931 - 1978)
Aleksandr Dmitrievich Aref'ev
1931 - 1978