Artists

Henri Martin

French, 1860-1943

Born August 5, 1860 in Toulouse, Martin’s career started academically and then expanded to an avant-garde Post-impressionist style. His early works were devoted to poetic and allegorical themes reflecting his training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse. After winning the Grand Prix he moved to Paris in 1879 to study at the École des Beaux-Arts under Jean-Paul Laurens (1838-1921). This all implied that Henri Martin was turning into the prime academician, and saloniste: Martin would exhibit at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris from 1880, winning a medal at the 1883 Salon. The strict, linear-based painting style Martin had acquired up to this point loosened after a trip to Italy in 1885.  

Martin returned to Paris in 1889 and began experimenting with pointillism and the theories of color. His subjects turned from allegories and history painting almost exclusively to landscape painting. Colorful canvases full of light depict the rolling countryside around his house at different times of the day and render works of shadow and sun. In 1889 Henri Martin exhibited at La Fête de la Fédération where he was presented with a gold medal.

Working in an avant-garde, ground-breaking style, Martin boasted much recognition for his work. He was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1896, and in 1900 won the grand prize at the Exposition Universelle. Martin is buried in the cemetery at La Bastide-du-Vert.