EUGENE-LOUIS CHARVOT

French artist Eugéne-Louis Charvot (1847-1924) was a distinguished painter and printmaker. A fascinating individual, he practiced medicine for many years but stated that his first love was art. Inspired by the serene countryside of his youth, he became a landscapist and made his debut in 1876 at the annual Salon in Paris. He spent his medical career in the French military and was posted in colonial Tunisia between 1885 and 89 and Algeria 1892 to 96 where he documented the life around him and sent oils back to Paris for entry in the Salons. Unlike other French artists attracted to Orientalism, Charvot was not a tourist in North Africa but rather a working member of the French colonial forces and his perspective and reactions are detailed in his letters to his family. His street scenes of North African life allow a unique glimpse into the time and place whether it is the Little Miller, the Jewish Quarter of Djara, Arab noblemen or people inside the cool patio courtyards of their homes. Notre Dame Cathedral, a peasant girl burning grass at twilight, in the field or sitting under trees, storms, a cow in the meadow, and portraits both in pencil and oils, his etchings were award-winning and this volume resurrects the reputation of this accomplished artist. It highlights his breadth of processes, productivity and inspiration in painting, etching and drawing. 68 page square softback, quality paper and dozens of illus., much in colour.