Jean-Pierre Cassigneul

Houlgate by Jean-Pierre Cassigneul

2021

Frank Tenney Johnson 1874–1939 American The Lawless Frontier Signed, lower left: F Tenney Johnson A.N.A 1930 Oil on canvas Frank Tenney Johnson’s The Lawless Frontier exemplifies...

Lucas Cranach the Elder and Studio 1472-1553 German Moses and the Pillar of Cloud Oil on panel Moses and the Pillar of Cloud is a bold and evocative composition that showcases the signature intense color and intricate detail of Lucas Cranach the Elder’s celebrated oeuvre. The remarkable 16th-century oil on panel by Lucas Cranach and his studio captures the narrative moment when Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and encounters God manifested through a large pillar of cloud. Moses stands at the precipice of a bridge and turns back to soldiers helping to lead the group of Israelites who huddle closely together. Cranach depicts Moses with his traditional iconography, rendering the rays of light on his head which came to be interpreted as "horns" in the translation of the Bible. Using his traditional walking staff, Moses gestures toward the pillar, seemingly acknowledging that God will protect the group as they cross the bridge to the other side, leaving exile and entering a promised land. In a nod to Cranach’s Germanic locale, he renders the figures and setting in a manner that feels decisively more akin to European aesthetics than those of the Red Sea. Soldiers wear elaborate, gothic suits of armor that recall the livery of Northern European guardsmen. The terrain appears more like a European forest giving way to a sweeping valley than the arid landscape the Israelites trekked through on their journey across the Red Sea. Though still clearly recounting a story from the Old Testament, Cranach renders the cast of characters and setting in an earthly, familiar manner. This aesthetic shift speaks to Cranach’s own changing beliefs as he found himself at the center of the Protestant Reformation. After first gaining recognition in 1505 as the official painter of Frederick the Wise, Cranach established a thriving painting and print studio in Wittenberg, Germany. Cranach was renowned for his court portraits and genre paintings and was also well known for his association with the famous protestant reformer Martin Luther, then under the protection of Frederick the Wise. As Wittenberg became a bastion of new religious thought, Cranach soon befriended Luther and played an active role in creating the printed materials that proliferated throughout the Reformation...

Title: Shepherd in the Pyrenees Artist: Enric Porta i Mestre (1898–1993) Technique: Oil on canvas Style: Post-Impressionism with Expressionist influences Dimensions: Unframed: 23.6 x 31.9 in Framed: 29.9 x 38.2 in Signature: Signed in the lower right corner as "E. Porta". Date: 1956 (according to the inscription on the back). DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK Shepherd in the Pyrenees by Enric Porta i Mestre depicts a rural scene with a striking sense of introspection and evocative charm. The painting portrays a shepherd tending to his flock amidst the mountainous landscape typical of the Catalan Pyrenees. The composition captures the serenity and beauty of nature through vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes. The work reflects a Post-Impressionist style with loose, bold strokes and vivid tones, combined with Expressionist influences in its ability to evoke emotions beyond the physical depiction. The energetic and textured brushwork infuses the painting with a lively rhythm, while the rich palette of greens and blues immerses the viewer in the landscape's tranquil atmosphere. In this piece, Porta i Mestre showcases a mastery of color and light, illustrating his deep connection to his homeland and its rural life, which served as a source of inspiration throughout his career. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Enric Porta i Mestre (La Pobla de Segur, 1898–1993) was a Catalan painter known for his landscapes, still lifes, and costumbrist depictions. Trained in Lleida and Barcelona, Porta debuted in 1922 with an exhibition in the Catalan capital. He later moved to Paris to further his artistic studies, where he connected with avant-garde artists such as Miquel Villà...

Le Jardin de Lagny Provenance: Arthur Tooth, London Radon Gallery, NY This beautiful evocation of a lyrical French landscape is a fine example of of Po...