Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prosperous trade with the West Indies in the 18th century. “The scent of cocoa, vanilla, and cinnamon still vaguely hangs in these ports today,” says Brosseau.
The French artist is known for his nautical paintings and draws inspiration from his childhood memories. “I strolled the docks between the sugar and rum warehouses,” he says. “And I think it’s this nostalgia for a traditional sea lifestyle that used to fascinate me and still does.”
Brosseau’s education is atypical for a painter — he studied political science as an undergraduate and received a master’s degree in law. Although he painted during and after his years at school, he worked as a journalist and a political activist upon graduating. He could not stay away from his true passion for long, however, and eventually returned to painting full time. From a young age, the sea captivated Brousseau.
“My first paintings were devoted to maritime themes mixed with Surrealism,” he says. Paintings from his teenage years depict flying boats or parting waters, like the iconic scene from Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 film The Ten Commandments. As Brosseau developed, his style moved closer to realism. His oil paintings have a distinct look — graphic and contemporary — that he uses to explore the philosophical implications of marine life.
“The fascinating part of the sea is that it’s a total and paradoxical universe,” Brosseau says. “There is always the fascination with going out to sea and the anticipation of returning to port.” While his style is consistent, Brosseau experiments with different techniques and themes. He rarely paints open seascapes and his canvases frequently include animate and inanimate symbols of the nautical world — toiling sailors, faded buoys with chipped paint, weather-battered rowboats.
“Maybe I prefer the maritime places, objects, and artifacts of the sea culture to the sea itself because I can tame and control them,” Brosseau says. At the heart of his work is an awareness of the austerity of life — at sea and ashore — and the different ways humanity reacts to nature. “I found this a bit in Martha’s Vineyard,” he says, “this opposition between the Palladian refinement of 18th-century New England architecture and the odds and ends of Menemsha Harbor.”
When Brosseau first visited the Vineyard he was struck by the diverse wealth of scenery the island presents to a painter. “Whatever the topic, there is always an atmosphere to be captured,” he says. Inspired by the Vineyard’s majestic sailboats, tranquil harbors, and quaint landscapes, Brosseau began a series of paintings dedicated to the island’s nostalgic charm. His work has been featured at the Eisenhauer Gallery in Edgartown since the summer of 2006.
Find original Michel Brosseau paintings on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Eisenhauer Gallery)
"Star Spangled Stern" a folded sail casts a shadow on the American flag
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
"Panoramique" a photorealist maritime oil painting with a ship sailing
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Magic Carpet Sail, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 18" x 30"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the folded and tied white sails of a boat. The subject is rendered realistically with a flat light umber bac...
Digital, Giclée
"Vineyard Haven Dinghy, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 45" x 60"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures a view of a small white dinghy boat tied to a dock. Two ores rest inside the small boat, which is surrounded...
Digital, Giclée
"Vineyard Haven Dinghy, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 36" x 48"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures a view of a small white dinghy boat tied to a dock. Two ores rest inside the small boat, which is surrounded...
Digital, Giclée
"Alcyon, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 48" x 72"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic coastal limited edition print by Michel Brosseau features a light blue and white palette and captures a large sailboat as it sails through the ocean, carrying four pas...
Digital, Giclée
"The Returning" photorealistic red marine lantern, a warm signal of the sea
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Oil, Linen
"Palm with Shadow" oil painting of green palm leaves with a shadow behind
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Fish Out of Water" realistic bluefin tuna hopping out of the water
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Alcyon, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 40" x 60"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic coastal limited edition print by Michel Brosseau features a light blue and white palette and captures a large sailboat as it sails through the ocean, carrying four pas...
Digital, Giclée
"Finally Rest", tractor, fields, stone wall, farm, New England, pastoral, serene
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Vineyard Haven Dinghy, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 18" x 24"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures a view of a small white dinghy boat tied to a dock. Two ores rest inside the small boat, which is surrounded...
Digital, Giclée
"Bowspirit" Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 36" x 72"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the bow of a ship, with the sail tied down and a lightly cloudy blue sky behind it. The artist pays hyper at...
Digital, Giclée
"Fantastic Floats" a rainbow of buoys tied up against a wooden boathouse
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Bowspirit, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 16" x 32"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the bow of a ship, with the sail tied down and a lightly cloudy blue sky behind it. The artist pays hyper at...
Digital, Giclée
"Alcyon, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 30" x 45"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic coastal limited edition print by Michel Brosseau features a light blue and white palette and captures a large sailboat as it sails through the ocean, carrying four pas...
Digital, Giclée
"Bowspirit, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 12" x 24"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the bow of a ship, with the sail tied down and a lightly cloudy blue sky behind it. The artist pays hyper at...
Digital, Giclée
"Vineyard Haven Dinghy, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 24" x 32"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures a view of a small white dinghy boat tied to a dock. Two ores rest inside the small boat, which is surrounded...
Digital, Giclée
"Magic Carpet Sail, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 27" x 45"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the folded and tied white sails of a boat. The subject is rendered realistically with a flat, light, raw-lin...
Digital, Giclée
"Magic Carpet Sail, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 48" x 80"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic nautical limited edition print by Michel Brosseau captures the folded and tied white sails of a boat. The subject is rendered realistically with a flat, light, raw-lin...
Digital, Giclée
"Conched Out" oil painting of pink conchs in front of a blue door
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Oil painting of pink conchs in front of a blue door. Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and...
Linen, Oil
"Where the Sea Knocks" nautical diptych oil painting of multicolored buoys
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Alcyon, " Framed Limited Edition Giclee Print, 24" x 36"
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Westport, CT
This realistic coastal limited edition print by Michel Brosseau features a light blue and white palette and captures a large sailboat as it sails through the ocean, carrying four pas...
Digital, Giclée
"The Departing" photorealistic green marine lantern, the sidelight on a boat
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
"Rusty Red", marine lantern, channel marker, boating, nautical, sailing, ocean
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 31 in Dm 88 in
Redwoods - large format nature observation panorama of green redwoods forest
By Erik Pawassar
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large scale photograph of lush emerald green nature biotope, a highly detailed observation of the natural beauty of the Northern California redwood forest Redwoods by Erik Pawassa...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment
H 48 in W 88 in
Close Up - large format photograph of conceptual billboard sign in landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photograph of billboard sign with conceptual message in iconic landscape of the American West. A series of images capturing the unique infi...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
H 30 in W 40 in
Back in 10 - large format photograph of conceptual message sign in landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
From a series of whimsical conceptual motivational messages on classic Americana billboard signs in iconic landscapes of the American West BACK IN 10 by Frank Schott 30 x 40 inches...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée, Archival Ink
H 44 in W 69 in D 0.03 in
Nizza - large format photograph of summer beach observation in South of France
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large scale highly detailed photograph of European summer beach scene captured in coastal Nice, France, along the Mediterranean Côte d’Azur. Nizza (2006) by Frank Schott 44 x 69 in...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée, Archival Ink
H 48 in W 72 in
Marfa ( Texas ) - large format photograph of dramatic clouds over endless fields
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Marfa ( Texas ) by Frank Schott country road view in West Texas, from a series of impressions captured in Marfa, Texas, longtime residence of minimalist artist Donald Judd 48 x 72 i...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée
H 48 in W 72 in
Topiary II - large format photograph of ornamental shaped sidewalk trees
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photogaph from a series of photographic observances capturing the antics of urban gardening and whimsical botanical art of topiaries' green minimalism TOPIARY II by Fran...
Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Paper, Giclée
H 48 in W 64 in
Back in 10 - large format photograph of conceptual message sign in landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
From a series of whimsical conceptual motivational messages on classic Americana billboard signs in iconic landscapes of the American West BACK IN 10 ...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
H 30 in W 40 in
Cones - large scale photograph of conceptual art in desert landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
Cones ( 2000 ) by Frank Schott, from a series of conceptual photographic observances captured in the California desert 30 x 40 inches (76 x 102cm) signed edition of 25 48 x 65 inch...
Giclée, Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 0.4 in
Patience and A Quiet Read diptych
By Gordon Hunt
Located in Deddington, GB
A Quiet Read [2014] limited_edition oil Edition number 120 Image size: H:20 cm x W:20 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:30 cm x W:30 cm x D:.1cm Sold Unframed Please note that in...
Paper, Giclée
H 33.5 in W 39.5 in D 1.25 in
"Soup Terrine and Apples" Large Realistic Still Life Painting
By Joan Farish Quillen
Located in Houston, TX
Large scale still life painting with wine, apples, and a soup terrine. The work is signed by the artist, Joan Farish Quillen a Houston, Texas artist, in ...
Linen, Oil
H 27 in W 40 in
Topiary II - large format photograph of ornamental shaped sidewalk trees
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photogaph from a series of photographic observances capturing the antics of urban gardening and whimsical botanical art of topiaries' green minimalism TOPIARY II by Fran...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
H 33.47 in W 26.78 in
Rose on a Hillside
By Bob Dylan
Located in London, GB
Giclee reproduction on Hahnemuhle 350gsm Museum etching paper After an original drawing hand-signed and numbered by the artist Framed: 85 x 68 cm Sheet: 70 x 56 cm Image: 54.5 x ...
Giclée
H 26 in W 20 in
"Weathered Buoys" diptych oil painting of multicolored red and orange buoys
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 39.3 in W 39.3 in
"Hanging Out" 3 sailboats and their crews pass through open ocean
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
H 35 in W 57.5 in
"Edgartown Light" a folded sail rests against the spars in front of a lighthouse
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 35 in W 57.5 in
"(Sitting on) the Dock of the Bay" boats tied to a pier on the ocean
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 31 in W 63 in
"Promenade" a pink flamingo struts along the shore of a tropical beach
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 38.2 in W 63.7 in
"Ideal Conditions" sailors look out at the sea, the sky turning pink behind them
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Oil
H 43.3 in W 43.3 in
"Alabama" Vineyard sailboat with American flag and sail in the foreground
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
H 39.3 in W 39.3 in
"Saint Tropez" large sailboat rests at sea amongst other sailors
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prospero...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
H 35 in W 59 in
"Puritan" Close up of a sail on the water
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prosp...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
H 39.3 in W 59 in
"Race" sailboats and crew line up to begin a race across the ocean blue
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Edgartown, MA
Michel Brosseau was born in Nantes and has lived in Bordeaux for many years. Both cities are on the Atlantic coast of France and have rich maritime histories, highlighted by prosp...
Linen, Raw Linen, Oil
H 35 in W 57 in
Michel Brosseau, "Race", 35x57 Dynamic Regatta Sailing Oil Painting on Linen
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Race" is a 35x57 oil painting on linen by artist Michel Brosseau. Featured is a dynamic regatta focusing on a primary yacht in the center of the composition. Bright blue skies are streaked with fluffy white clouds. The dark blues of the rocky ocean are broken up by additional sailing yachts competing in the exciting regatta. About the artist: Born in Nantes, France in 1954, Michel Brosseau divides his time between Brussels and Cap-Ferret, located in the Aquitaine, southern most region of France. After obtaining degrees in both law and science, he practiced journalism for a number of years until returning to what had always been a fascination for him - painting. Brosseau’s passionate, yet minimal works don’t get lost in a multitude of styles, his approach explores new techniques and themes which represent contemporary "maritime narratives"; the sailor's perspective of a masthead framing his view of the horizon, intimate portraits of buoys, each with an intuitive sense of animated personality, single moored boats in the very process of being formed; all his work evokes the "poetics of the sea", reminiscent of the classic authors: James Fenimore Cooper...
Linen, Oil
H 29.6 in W 61 in
Michel Brosseau, "Bowspirit", 29.5x61 Regatta Sailing Oil Painting on Linen
By Michel Brosseau
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY
"Race" is a 35x57 oil painting on linen by artist Michel Brosseau. Featured is a close up detail of a yacht sail. The white wrinkled sail fabric is contrasted by the bright blue sky accented with fluffy white clouds. The detail of the composition is so realistic, the viewer can pick out each detail and every wrinkle from the folded sail fabric. About the artist: Born in Nantes, France in 1954, Michel Brosseau divides his time between Brussels and Cap-Ferret, located in the Aquitaine, southern most region of France. After obtaining degrees in both law and science, he practiced journalism for a number of years until returning to what had always been a fascination for him - painting. Brosseau’s passionate, yet minimal works don’t get lost in a multitude of styles, his approach explores new techniques and themes which represent contemporary "maritime narratives"; the sailor's perspective of a masthead framing his view of the horizon, intimate portraits of buoys, each with an intuitive sense of animated personality, single moored boats in the very process of being formed; all his work evokes the "poetics of the sea", reminiscent of the classic authors: James Fenimore Cooper...
Linen, Oil