Henri Lebasque

Henri Lebasque, born in Champigné, Maine-et-Loire on September 25, 1865, was a recognized French painter and engraver. He is often associated with the post-impressionist movement and is best known for his family genre scenes set in a Mediterranean context, greatly inspired by his own family.

He began his artistic training at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Angers before moving to Paris in 1886 to join the Académie Colarossi.

His first exhibition at the Salon des Indépendants in 1884 brought him notable success, followed by participation in the Salon of French Artists in 1894. While influenced by the Impressionists, whom he admired for their treatment of light, he remained committed to the importance of drawing and composition. His encounter with Camille Pissarro in 1894 marked a turning point in his technique. Lebasque also associated with pointillists of his generation, such as Maximilien Luce and Paul Signac.

In 1906, he married Catherine Fisher, nicknamed Ella, with whom he had three children: Marthe, who also became a painter and sculptor, and Hélène and Pierre. His family life, which he often immortalized in peaceful outdoor scenes—gardens, parks, terraces—became a major source of inspiration for him. His travels to Madrid and London, where he discovered the works of Turner, also enriched his artistic palette.

It was not until 1906 that he began to explore the landscapes and colors of the South, moving to Saint-Tropez, Sanary, Nice, Sainte-Maxime, and Cannes, before finally settling in Le Cannet in 1924. This marked a turning point in his work, as the tones and Mediterranean landscapes became prominent in his paintings.

In the final years of his life, he formed a friendship with Pierre Bonnard, who lived nearby. Drawn to similar themes, they exchanged ideas, but Lebasque maintained his distinctive style and participated to many art exhibitions in Paris along Moise Kisling and Marie Laurencin.

The artist passed away on August 7, 1937, in Le Cannet, leaving behind him a rich legacy which can appreciated in most significant collections of XXth century French art.