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

Charles-André Van Loo (1705 - 1765)
Charles-André Van Loo
1705 - 1765
Pierre Garnier (1726 - 1800)
Pierre Garnier
1726 - 1800
Jules Noel (1815 - 1881)
Jules Noel
1815 - 1881
Antoine-Jacques-Jean-Dominique (Yakov Ivanovich) Rachette (1744 - 1809)
Antoine-Jacques-Jean-Dominique (Yakov Ivanovich) Rachette
1744 - 1809
Édouard Pail (1851 - 1916)
Édouard Pail
1851 - 1916
Edouard Drouot (1859 - 1945)
Edouard Drouot
1859 - 1945
Pierre-Joseph Redoute (1759 - 1840)
Pierre-Joseph Redoute
1759 - 1840
Francois Boisrond (1959)
Francois Boisrond
1959
Janine Janet (1913 - 2000)
Janine Janet
1913 - 2000
Max Band (1901 - 1974)
Max Band
1901 - 1974
Jacques Agar (1640 - 1715)
Jacques Agar
1640 - 1715
Leonor Fini (1907 - 1996)
Leonor Fini
1907 - 1996
Jean-Joseph Patu de Rosemont (1767 - 1818)
Jean-Joseph Patu de Rosemont
1767 - 1818
Olga Afanasevna Glebova-Sudeykina (1885 - 1945)
Olga Afanasevna Glebova-Sudeykina
1885 - 1945
Władysław Podkowiński (1866 - 1895)
Władysław Podkowiński
1866 - 1895
François-Auguste Biard (1799 - 1882)
François-Auguste Biard
1799 - 1882

Creators Post-Impressionism

Josef Madlener (1881 - 1967)
Josef Madlener
1881 - 1967
Friedrich August von Kaulbach (1850 - 1920)
Friedrich August von Kaulbach
1850 - 1920
Lorand Gaspar (1925 - 2019)
Lorand Gaspar
1925 - 2019
Edward Morgan Forster (1879 - 1970)
Edward Morgan Forster
1879 - 1970
Alfred Jarry (1873 - 1907)
Alfred Jarry
1873 - 1907
Kōshirō Onchi (1891 - 1955)
Kōshirō Onchi
1891 - 1955
Jan Toorop (1858 - 1928)
Jan Toorop
1858 - 1928
Arthur Beecher Carles (1882 - 1952)
Arthur Beecher Carles
1882 - 1952
Charles Courtney Curran (1861 - 1942)
Charles Courtney Curran
1861 - 1942
Norbert Tadeusz (1940 - 2011)
Norbert Tadeusz
1940 - 2011
Vasiliy Vasiliyevich Belyashin (1874 - 1929)
Vasiliy Vasiliyevich Belyashin
1874 - 1929
Alexander Alekseevich Efimov (1905 - 1964)
Alexander Alekseevich Efimov
1905 - 1964
Alfredo Protti (1882 - 1949)
Alfredo Protti
1882 - 1949
Waldemar Sewohl (1887 - 1967)
Waldemar Sewohl
1887 - 1967
Aleksandr Davidovich Drevin (1889 - 1938)
Aleksandr Davidovich Drevin
1889 - 1938
Hugo Höppener (1868 - 1948)
Hugo Höppener
1868 - 1948