Maurice Bouviolle

Maurice Bouviolle was born on June 3, 1893, in the charming city of Beauvais, France. A painter of rare sensitivity, his work is imbued with the landscapes and culture of Algeria. In 1910, he enrolled at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he absorbed the teachings of masters Gabriel Ferrier and Henri Rousseau, true beacons of artistic creation in his time.

The year 1912 marked a decisive turning point in his journey: his encounter with the painter Maxime Maufra inspired him to travel to Algeria, a land of inspiration and light. His military service, carried out with the 1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment in Blida, offered him a direct immersion into this vibrant country of colors and cultures. It was in Blida, in 1917, that he began sketching Orientalist paintings that would earn him growing recognition.

By 1921, his talent was revealed at the Salon des artistes algériens et orientalistes in Algiers, where he was awarded the Abd-el-Tif prize, shared with the artist Jean Bouchaud. Under the auspices of influential figures such as Georges-Antoine Rochegrosse and Maxime Noiré, he showcased his emblematic work “Marché à Ghardaïa” at the Salon des artistes français in 1922, a success that earned him a silver medal. In 1931, he was awarded the Grand Prix artistique de l’Algérie, coinciding with the Colonial Exhibition where he created captivating dioramas. In 1942, he was also honored with the vermeil medal from the Union Artistique de l’Afrique du Nord, founded by Roméo Aglietti.

His artistic output focused on the M’zab region, where he delicately captured daily life, particularly in Ghardaïa, through scenes of bustling markets, enchanting musicians, and Ouled Naïls dancers. Known as the “laureate of the M’Zab,” Bouviolle embodied a poetic and empathetic vision of this culture, challenging the often stereotypical representations of Orientalism.

After the turmoil of World War II, Maurice Bouviolle left Algiers to settle in Marseille. In 1961, an unexpected blow struck him: hemiplegia. However, against all odds, he persisted in painting, turning his attention to landscapes of Marseille.

Maurice Bouviolle passed away on June 29, 1971, in Marseille.