Maxime Maufra

Maxime Maufra (1861–1918), French, Maxime Maufra, born Maximilien Émile Louis Maufra on May 17, 1861, in Nantes, France, emerged as a notable figure in the post-impressionist movement, distinguishing himself as a painter, engraver, and lithographer. Initially destined for a career in business by his father, Maufra's artistic journey began in earnest during a linguistic stay in Liverpool, where the works of J.M.W. Turner profoundly influenced him. Upon his return to France in 1884, he balanced his professional obligations with his passion for painting, gradually immersing himself in the impressionist techniques under the guidance of Charles Le Roux.
Maufra's talent was first recognized by Octave Mirbeau at the 1886 Salon de Paris, marking the beginning of his ascent in the art world. His participation in the Exposition des beaux-arts de Nantes the same year placed him among esteemed contemporaries like Eugène Boudin and Camille Pissarro. The 1880s saw Maufra traversing Normandy and Brittany, capturing the essence of their landscapes and seascapes, before settling in Paris in 1892. A pivotal moment in his career occurred in 1890 during a stay in Pont-Aven, where encounters with Paul Gauguin and Paul Sérusier steered his style towards synthetism, a movement characterized by bold colors and simplified forms. Maufra's work, though overshadowed by his more famous peers, remains a testament to his unique interpretation of post-impressionism, blending the influences of his mentors with his own vision until his death on May 23, 1918, in Poncé-sur-le-Loir.