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François-Louis Schmied was a French painter, illustrator, wood engraver, printmaker, editor and Art Deco binder.
François-Louis studied wood engraving at the École des Arts industriels in Geneva and painting at the École des Beaux-Arts de Genève. A Swiss, Schmied settled and naturalized in France in 1895. In 1910, he was commissioned to engrave and print Paul Jouve's illustrations for Rudyard Kipling's The Life of the Jungle, which was not published until 1919. For this book, now considered a masterpiece, the master produced about 90 color illustrations. Thanks to the success of this publication, Schmied was able to expand his activity and hire a group of craftsmen to execute his most famous and innovative works.
François-Louis Schmied is considered one of the greatest Art Deco artists and became particularly famous for his beautiful rare books for bibliophiles. Schmied's unique books were very expensive to produce, which required a lot of time and effort, and were always printed in very limited editions, from 20 to 200 copies. During the Great Depression, Schmied's expensive projects could not withstand the competition: the master was forced to sell off almost all his assets and close his workshop and store, and around 1932 he left for Morocco, where he died.
François-Louis Schmied's works are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also express his desire to combine art and literature. The talented artist conveyed with passion and precision the essence of the Art Deco style contemporary to him. Today, Schmied's works, reissued as fine art reproductions, not only convey the aesthetics and precision inherent in each of his originals, but also add a new dimension to them. His son, Theo Schmied, took over François-Louis Schmied's workshop in 1924, reviving its former glory and revitalizing it over time.
Paul Sérusier was a French Post-Impressionist painter and theorist, notable for his significant contributions to the art movement known as the Nabis. Born in Paris on November 9, 1864, Sérusier's work is characterized by its expressive use of color and pattern, inspired by the techniques of Paul Gauguin. He is best known for his exploration of color, sensation, and abstraction, particularly evident in works like "Le Talisman, the Aven River at the Bois d'Amour" (1888). This painting marks a departure from the Impressionists' more faithful representation of observed reality, focusing instead on translating sensations onto the canvas with vibrant brushstrokes and an emphasis on emotional expression over visual accuracy.
Sérusier's paintings often feature the landscapes and people of Brittany, notable for their contemplative mood achieved through firm contours and blocks of unmodulated color. His style evolved under the influence of Synthetism and Cloisonnism, favoring flattened forms and large swathes of color, as seen in "Farmhouse at le Pouldu" (1890). This approach reflects a decorative organization of objects, emphasizing the craft and execution of the scene.
Some of Sérusier's notable works are housed in prestigious museums such as the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, including "Portrait of Paul Ranson in Nabi Costume" (1890) and "Landscape" (1912). His legacy extends beyond his own artworks; he was a key figure in the formation of the Nabis movement, and his theoretical contributions have had a lasting impact on the art world.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Sérusier's work represents a unique blend of post-impressionist and symbolist styles, making his pieces highly valued both for their historical significance and their aesthetic appeal. To stay updated on new product sales and auction events related to Paul Sérusier, sign up for our updates. This subscription service is exclusively focused on providing information related to Sérusier's work, ensuring you remain informed about opportunities to acquire pieces by this influential artist.
