Pont-Aven

Gustave Loiseau, a French post-impressionist painter, was born on October 3, 1865, in Paris, into a family of butchers originally from Pontoise, where he spent his childhood. Initially apprenticed as a charcutier in 1880, Loiseau's life took a pivotal turn when he moved to Montmartre and met Fernand Quignon, who introduced him to painting. By 1887, Loiseau had dedicated himself entirely to art, studying at the École des arts décoratifs. His artistic journey led him to Auvers-sur-Oise in 1891, and later, he settled in Pontoise for over three decades, from 1904 until his death on October 10, 1935. His studio in Pontoise remains a testament to his enduring connection with the town. Loiseau's summers from 1890 onwards were spent in Pont-Aven, where he immersed himself in the vibrant artistic community at the pension Gloanec, alongside contemporaries like Maxime Maufra, Henry Moret, and Émile Bernard. Paul Gauguin's mentorship during this period significantly influenced his work. Loiseau's participation in the 6th, 7th, and 8th exhibitions of impressionist and symbolist painters at Le Barc de Bouteville in Paris marked his entry into the art world, leading to a contract with Paul Durand-Ruel, who showcased his paintings in New York. Loiseau's oeuvre, deeply rooted in the post-impressionist movement, is celebrated for its vivid depictions of rural and coastal landscapes, particularly of Pontoise, Brittany, Normandy, and Paris. His later years saw a shift towards still lifes, though his early focus on dynamic scenes of market life and laborers remained a hallmark of his style.