1920s Elisee Maclet - La Bergerie De Gabrielle D Estrees - the Sheepfold of Gabrielle D Estrees - Original Watercolor, Framed

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Elisee Marcet (1881 - 1962)

French Name: La bergerie de Gabrielle d'Estrées

English Name: The sheepfold of Gabrielle d'Estrées

Medium: … Read more Elisee Marcet (1881 - 1962)

French Name: La bergerie de Gabrielle d'Estrées

English Name: The sheepfold of Gabrielle d'Estrées

Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper

Signature: Signed lower left, titled, located "rue du Mont-Cenis" and dated lower right.

Year: 1920

Size: 8 cm x 24 cm (7 x 9.5 inches)

IMAGES are ACTUAL Artwork

ABOUT:

Gabrielle d'Estrées (1573-1599) was a prominent figure in French history, serving as the mistress, confidante, and adviser to King Henry IV of France. Born into a noble family known for producing courtesans, Gabrielle's beauty and charm quickly caught the attention of the king. She played a crucial role in ending the religious civil wars that had plagued France for over 30 years, persuading Henry IV to convert to Catholicism in 1593 and later encouraging French Catholics to accept the Edict of Nantes, which granted rights to Protestants. Despite being unable to marry Henry IV due to his existing marriage, Gabrielle bore him three children and was elevated to the titles of Duchess of Beaufort, Duchess of Verneuil, and Marchioness of Monceaux. Her influence extended beyond romance, as she served on the king's council, helped form laws, received ambassadors, and even acted as a diplomat in communicating with the Pope. Tragically, Gabrielle's life was cut short at the age of 26, just as Henry IV was seeking to annul his marriage and make her his queen.

Élisée Maclet (1881-1962) was a French Impressionist painter best known for his vibrant depictions of Montmartre and other Parisian scenes. Born in Lihons, Picardy, to a poor family, Maclet's artistic talent emerged early in life.

As a child, Maclet assisted his father, who worked as a gardener and church sexton. His artistic inclinations were nurtured by the local parish priest, Father Delval, who took young Maclet on painting excursions. At age 12, Maclet's talent caught the eye of renowned artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, who offered to mentor him, but Maclet's father refused.

In 1906, against his father's wishes, Maclet moved to Paris's Montmartre district to pursue his artistic ambitions. To support himself, he took on various jobs, including varnishing bedsteads, decorating floats for the Moulin Rouge, and even working as a ship's cook.

Maclet's early works captured the rustic charm of Montmartre before it became heavily urbanized. He developed a distinctive style characterized by bright colors, simplified forms, skewed perspectives, and thick impasto brushwork. Notably, Maclet painted iconic Montmartre landmarks like the Lapin Agile and the Moulin de la Galette before his contemporary Maurice Utrillo.

During World War I, Maclet served as a medical attendant, using his leave periods to continue painting in Montmartre. After the war, his career gained momentum. He attracted the attention of writers like Max Jacob and Francis Carco, and in 1920, art dealer Dosbourg's substantial purchase allowed Maclet to focus exclusively on painting.

In 1923, Maclet's patron, Baron von Fray, sent him to paint in southern France, where he developed a style reminiscent of Matisse. He continued to travel and paint, visiting Corsica and Brittany in the late 1920s.

Maclet's career was interrupted in 1933 when he was hospitalized for mental illness. He returned to painting in Paris in 1935, and in 1945 held a significant exhibition titled "Around the Moulin".

Throughout his career, Maclet painted various subjects including Parisian cityscapes, seascapes, and landscapes of southern France. His work is characterized by its naive charm, vibrant colors, and poetic representation of his subjects.

Élisée Maclet died in Paris on August 23, 1962. Today, he is recognized as one of the great painters of Montmartre, with his works featured in numerous books and collections. His unique style and contribution to capturing the essence of early 20th-century Paris have secured his place in the pantheon of French Impressionist painters. See less